Which programming language is considered the first high-level language?

The answer depends on whether you mean the earliest designed high-level language or the first one that became widely used. The earliest generally identified high-level language is Plankalkül , created by Konrad Zuse in the 1940s, while FORTRAN is usually cited as the first widely used high- level language.

Quick Scoop

• Plankalkül : earliest high-level language conceptually and historically.

• FORTRAN : first high-level language to achieve broad practical adoption.

Why there’s confusion

Different sources emphasize different milestones. Some focus on the first language ever designed at a high level, which points to Plankalkül, while others focus on the first language that mattered in everyday computing, which points to FORTRAN.

In plain terms

If someone asks this in a classroom or quiz, the expected answer is often FORTRAN because it was the first widely used high-level programming language. If the question is about historical priority, Plankalkül comes first.

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Language	Why it matters
Plankalkül	Earliest known high-level programming language design
FORTRAN	First widely adopted high-level programming language

TL;DR

• Earliest high-level language: Plankalkül.

• First widely used high-level language: FORTRAN.