Which feature distinguishes high-level programming languages from low-level programming languages?

High-level programming languages are primarily distinguished by their human readability. These languages are designed to be easily understood by humans, which facilitates programming tasks such as writing, reading, and maintaining code. They often use abstractions, such as natural language elements and simplified syntax, allowing programmers to express concepts in a way that is more intuitive compared to low-level languages, which closely align with the machine's code and architecture.

Low-level programming languages lack this level of abstraction and readability, often requiring a deeper understanding of the hardware and the specific details of the machine architecture. This makes them more challenging for most developers to work with effectively. Therefore, the fundamental characteristic that sets high-level languages apart is their focus on being accessible and understandable by people, enabling them to write programs without needing to manage every detail of the computer's operation.