To support programs, automate processes, or display dynamic websites, scripts are required. Scripts, or “skripte,” are text-based documents that can be interpreted. Scripts are written in scripting languages, which the computer translates into commands and executes. Scripts can be opened and edited using a variety of text editors, such as Notepad.
What is a Scripting Language?
You may have heard of PHP or Perl, two of the most common scripting languages. Internal systems in Windows and iOS also use their own scripting languages to enable the flow of processes. There are different scripting languages, depending on the location and use case.
Script: Programming Language vs. Scripting Language
Unlike programming languages, the source code of scripts is read and executed line by line. In programming languages, the intermediary step of compilation – the complete conversion of the source code into machine language – occurs before execution. As a result, scripting is significantly slower and more streamlined than programming. Scripts are often used as add-ons and should not replace programming languages. They can automate processes through command translation or combine applications and are frequently used in conjunction with programming. Additionally, scripts are much easier to learn and require less maintenance.