C, BASIC, COBOL and Java are all examples of which broad category of computer language used to write programs?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about types of computer languages. Names like C, BASIC, COBOL and Java are often encountered when learning about software development. They are used to write instructions that a computer can execute after translation by compilers or interpreters. The question asks for the broad category that groups all these languages together.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The languages listed are C, BASIC, COBOL and Java.
• These are widely known and used in different types of applications.
• Options include low level languages, programming languages, markup languages, machine languages only and assembly languages.
• We assume an introductory level classification of languages.

Concept / Approach:
All of the languages mentioned are used to write programs. They are therefore programming languages. Some are often classified as high level programming languages because they use English like syntax and abstract away machine details. Markup languages, such as HTML, are used for structuring documents, not general purpose programming. Machine language and assembly language are much lower level and specific to hardware. While every programming language eventually translates to machine language, that does not make C or Java machine languages themselves.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise each name. C is a structured systems programming language. BASIC is a beginner friendly language. COBOL is used in business applications. Java is a widely used object oriented language. Step 2: All four are used to write programs that instruct a computer to perform tasks. Step 3: The generic category that covers all such languages is programming languages. Step 4: Option b, programming languages, therefore matches the function of these languages. Step 5: Low level languages usually refer to machine language and assembly language, which are much closer to hardware codes than C, BASIC, COBOL or Java at school level. Step 6: Markup languages, such as HTML or XML, are mainly used for formatting and structuring data, not for general purpose computation. Step 7: Machine languages only are sequences of binary codes understood directly by the CPU, not human readable languages like C or Java. Step 8: Assembly languages are symbolic representations of machine instructions and do not match the higher level syntax of BASIC, COBOL or Java.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you open any introductory programming textbook, C, BASIC, COBOL and Java will be described in chapters titled programming languages or high level programming languages. They include constructs such as variables, loops and functions that allow programmers to express algorithms. The same books usually reserve terms like machine language and assembly language for low level coding examples and treat markup languages in separate sections about web technologies. This distinction confirms that programming languages is the correct broad category.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Labelling these languages as low level or as machine languages only would ignore the clear distinction between human oriented high level syntax and binary or symbolic low level code. Markup languages do not perform computation in the same way and are not used to implement general algorithms. Assembly languages are different in style and purpose and are not what C, BASIC, COBOL and Java are collectively called in basic computer awareness exams.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the terms high level and low level and may incorrectly classify C as a low level language because it can access hardware. In exam questions, however, the safer and more inclusive answer is programming languages, which does not depend on a precise high or low level boundary. Always read the question carefully and choose the category that clearly includes every example given.

Final Answer:
C, BASIC, COBOL and Java are all examples of programming languages used to write computer programs.