What is Scripting Language?

A scripting language or script language is a programming language that supports scripts, programs written for a special run-time environment that can interpret (rather than compile) and automate the execution of tasks that could alternatively be executed one-by-one by a human operator.
Scripting languages came about largely because of the development of the Internet as a communications tool. JavaScript, ASP, JSP, PHP, Perl, Tcl and Python are examples of scripting languages.

Types Of Scripting Languages:

Specialised scripting languages include:

Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language).

This is a popular string processing language for writing small scripts for system administrators and web site maintainers. Much web development is now done using Perl.

Hypertalk:

Hypertalk is another example. It is the underlying scripting language of HyperCard.

Lingo:

Lingo is the scripting language of Macromedia Director, an authoring system for develop high-performance multimedia content and applications for CDs, DVDs and the Internet.

AppleScript:

AppleScript, a scripting language for the Macintosh allows the user to send commands to the operating system to, for example open applications, carry out complex data operations.

JavaScript:

JavaScript, perhaps the most publicised and well-known scripting language was initially developed by Netscape as LiveScript to allow more functionality and enhancement to web page authoring that raw HTML could not accommodate. A standard version of JavaScript was later developed to work in both Netscape and Microsoft's Internet Explorer, thus making the language to a large extent, universal. This means that JavaScript code can run on any platform that has a JavaScript interpreter.

VBScript:

VBScript, a cut-down version of Visual Basic, used to enhance the features of web pages in Internet Explorer.

Characteristics Of Interpreted Languages:

☛ makes them easy to learn and use
☛ assumes minimum programming knowledge or experience
☛ allows complex tasks to be performed in relatively few steps
☛ allows simple creation and editing in a variety of text editors
☛ allows the addition of dynamic and interactive activities to web pages