What is a programming language primarily used for?

A programming language is primarily used to write code for applications. This encompasses the process of developing software programs that perform specific tasks, such as running a website, performing calculations, managing data, or controlling hardware. Programming languages provide the syntax and structure needed for a programmer to convey instructions to a computer effectively.

While designing hardware components is an essential part of computer science, it typically relies on hardware description languages rather than conventional programming languages. Creating graphics for websites involves graphic design tools and languages like HTML and CSS, which focus more on structure and style than on the application logic that programming languages manage. Increasing processing speed is generally related to optimizing code and using efficient algorithms rather than the primary function of writing applications, which is the main purpose of programming languages.