High Level Programming Languages

When is it appropriate to use a high level programming language? Personally, I always feel guilty when using anything except C.

C is still a high level language. It's just not "as high level" as the other garbage.

YA AIN'T READ DA STANDARD.

While C allows direct access to the machine and reveals many details of the implementation, assuming it of the language is not technically right. C can even be interpreted, if you so desire. The automatic variables can be implemented as hash tables, etc.

I also use C most of the time, though. Everything else feels uncomfortable.