Scripting language

Introduction

“A scripting language, script language or extension language, is a programming language that controls a software application. "Scripts" are often treated as distinct from "programs", which execute independently from any other application. At the same time they are distinct from the core code of the application, which is usually written in a different language, and by being accessible to the end user they enable the behavior of the application to be adapted to the user's needs. Scripts are often, but not always, interpreted from the source code or "semi-compiled" to bytecode which is interpreted, unlike the applications they are associated with, which are traditionally compiled to native machine code for the system on which they run. Scripting languages are nearly always embedded in the application with which they are associated.” (Wikipedia, retrieved 10:20, 18 August 2008 (UTC)).

Distinguishing between a scripting language and a "normal" programming language may not be easy. Scripting languages usually are:

• interpreted (or compiled on the fly to some code that is then executed)
• an extension of some software (e.g. a web browser, a web server, a game, a multimedia authoring environment).
• simple, e.g. usually don't require variable declarations or class definitions.

However, popular scripting languages like JavaScript and PHP are defined independently of an application, can be run in several environments and allow also for a more strict type of programming...

See also: computer programming and end-user programming.

List of scripting languages

• PHP (PHP links page)
• Perl
• Python

Related entries (in this wiki)

Interactive web pages

There exist various formats for interactive web pages. Most scripting languages are based on ECMAScript and use specific DOM bindings.

• XHTML, DHTML, JavaScript links
• AJAX, a web 2.0 technology combining client and server-side scripting.
• SVG (scalable vector graphis) is scripted with ECAMScript trough DOM.
• SMIL
• X3D (post-VRML) is scripted with ECAMScript
• Flash can be scripted (or entirely produced with) Actionscript 3

Authoring environments

Operating system

Scripting languages firstly appeared to script series of commands for multi-user operating system. It is still good to have some scripting knowledge, e.g. to modify start-up scripts for web services.

• Shell script
• Environment variable

Microworlds

• Most microworlds are scriptable, some through a visual programming language.

E-learning technology

Some learning objects can be scripted to implement an "interface" between user and the web engine, e.g. an LMS can track user performance.

• E.g. the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) defines a JavaScript extension.

Virtual environments

• Text-based virtual environments like MOOs have scripting languages.
• Modern proprietary 3D virtual habitats like Second Life can be scripted.

Web application frameworks

• CodeIgniter (uses PHP)
• Django (uses Python)
• Zend (uses PHP)

Links

• Scripting language (Wikipedia)