What type of language is a high-level programming language?

High-level programming languages are designed to be more user-friendly and easier for humans to read and write. They abstract away much of the complexity associated with hardware and machine code, making the programming process more intuitive. This accessibility allows programmers to think more in terms of algorithms and problem-solving rather than the intricate details of the computer's architecture.

For example, languages like Python or Java use syntax and constructs that are reminiscent of human languages, which enables developers to write code that is not only efficient but also easier to maintain and understand. This contrasts sharply with low-level languages that require a deeper understanding of the machine's architecture, making programming in those languages often more cumbersome for humans.

In contrast, the other options describe attributes that do not accurately capture the essence of high-level programming languages. They either relate to specific uses of languages (like markup or database management) or imply a closeness to machine code, which is characteristic of low-level languages rather than high-level ones.