What characteristic differentiates programming languages from natural languages?

Programming languages are designed to be unambiguous, which means that they have a very specific syntax and structure that allows the computer to parse and execute commands without confusion. This precision is critical because computers require clear, definitive instructions to operate correctly. In contrast, natural languages are often filled with ambiguities, idioms, and variations that can lead to multiple interpretations of the same phrase or sentence, relying heavily on contextual clues.

The design of programming languages focuses on minimizing such ambiguity to ensure that each statement translates into a single, well-defined action for the computer. This characteristic allows programmers to write code that behaves predictably, enhancing reliability and reducing errors during execution.