Scripting Vs.

Programming Languages: Know What is the Difference

Between Scripting and Programming Languages
Every scripting language is basically a programming language. The only theoretical difference is that a scripting
language does not include the compilation step- it is interpreted instead. For instance, one needs to first compile a C
program before running it. On the other hand, one does not need to compile a scripting language such as PHP or
JavaScript. There are various ways in which both languages vary. In this article, we will dive deeper into the
difference between scripting and programming languages. But let us first take a brief look at both of them.

What is a Scripting Language?

 Scripting languages help in automating various software apps, web pages in a browser, shell usage of an OS
(operating system), etc. The scripting languages like VBScript, Perl, Javascript, etc., do not require
compilation, and they have less access to any computer’s native abilities. It is because these rather run on
an original programming language’s subset. An example here could be that the Javascript won’t have the
ability to access your file system.
 Generally, a scripting language is interpreted. It doesn’t primarily focus on building applications- but it can
render behavior to an application that already exists. It basically helps in writing codes for targeting a
software system. Thus, it can also automate a given operation on any software system. So basically, scripts
act as a set of instructions that target any software system.
 The scripting languages have eventually evolved and become more powerful. They now no longer create
minute scripts for automating a software system’s operations. One can also use scripting languages for
building rich applications. These can customize, manipulate, and automate an existing system’s facilities.
The scripting languages come with a mechanism that exposes functionality to the program control.

What is a Programming Language?

 One needs to compile the programming languages to machine code so as to run them on the hardware of
an underlying OS (operating system). A user needs to deploy a certain Integrated Development Environment
(IDE) for using programming languages. A programmer needs to provide an instruction set for the
computers for achieving certain goals. One can also implement certain algorithms by writing the programs.
 Out of all the programming languages present in the market, specific documentation dominates a majority
of them. All the other languages comprise dominant implementation (treated as a reference). An example
here is that the ISO standard associates with the C programming language. On the other hand, languages
like Perl belong to the latter category.
 One can use a programming language for transforming data. It basically happens when creating those CPU
instructions that jot down the input info into the output. An example here is using a set of conditions for
solving an equation set. One can consider various programming languages such as C, C++, Scala, Java, etc.,
as general-purpose languages. These fall under the compiled programming languages. You must add some
texts to write the score code, and then you can run them through a compiler. As a result, it would create
various binary instructions.

Difference Between Scripting and Programming Languages

Parameters Scripting Language Programming Language

Language Type The scripting languages are The programming languages are
interpreter-based languages. compiler-based languages.

Use The scripting languages help in The programming languages help in

combining the existing components developing anything from scratch.
of an application.

Running of A user needs to run scripting Programming languages are program-

Language languages inside an existing program. independent.
Thus, it’s program-dependent.
Conversion Scripting languages convert high-level Programming languages help in
instructions into machine language. converting the full program into the
machine language (at once).

Compilation You don’t need to compile these These languages first need a
languages. compilation.

Design These make the coding process These provide full usage of the
simple and fast. languages.

File Type Scripting languages don’t create any Programming languages create .exe
file types. files.

Complexity These are very easy to use and easy These are pretty complex in terms of
to write. writing and usage.

Type of Coding Scripting languages help write a small Programming languages help write the
piece of an entire code. full code concerning a program.

Developing These take less time because they These take more time because a
Time involve lesser code. programmer must write the entire code.

Interpretation We usually interpret a scripting The compile results of a programming

language in another program. language are stand-alone. No other
program needs to interpret it.

Requirement of Scripting languages require hosts for Programming languages are self-
Host execution. executable. They don’t require any host.

Length of Codes These involve very few and short These require numerous lines of coding
coding lines. for a single function.

Support These provide limited support to data These provide rich support for graphic
types, user interface design, and design, data types, and user interface
graphic design. design.

Maintenance These involve very low maintenance. These involve high maintenance.

Cost It is easier and cheaper to maintain a Maintaining a programming language is

scripting language. comparatively more expensive.

Example VB Script, Perl, Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, C, C++, COBOL, Basic, VB, C#, Pascal,
etc. Java, etc.
What is Scripting?
Scripting is a way of delivering instructions to a computer (or group of computers), as with all forms of
programming. 

The instructions in question not only tell a computer what to do but when and how to do it, as well.

A scripting language allows programs to be accessed and utilized by other programs, as is the
case with many modern apps and computer functions. 

However, users can also interact directly with scripted programs in many ways, including by inputting
direct commands, clicking buttons, and so forth.

For example, when you open a new browser window to perform a Google search or navigate to a
specific website, you interact directly with the program that powers the browser. 

The browser program, in turn, may interact with any number of other programs at the same time to
support your experience.

What’s the Difference Between Scripting and Coding?

Although coding and scripting are definitely related terms that people frequently confuse with one
another, they’re not the same thing. 

Coding refers to the use of any computer language to compose instructions for computers, the
programs they run, or both. (The term “programming” and “coding” can be used interchangeably.)

Scripting, on the other hand, is a single type of coding. 

To be more specific, scripting is a type of coding that automates various step-by-step functions or
processes. Otherwise, these instructions would need to be input individually by a developer.

Other forms of coding (like CSS or HTML, to name just two examples) may tell a computer how to
display a website. 

In contrast, a scripting language like JavaScript or PHP makes that same website dynamic by
instructing programs and computers to perform certain actions.

For example, let’s say you’d like to set your website up so that it automatically displays your five most
recent blog posts on the homepage. Or perhaps you’d like to add a pop-up that prompts visitors to
subscribe to your newsletter. 

Types of Scripting Languages

There are two main types of scripting languages: server-side and client-side.

They differ on where the code is run from, which affects not only the actual languages chosen but
also the performance and their capabilities.
Server-side scripting language
The term server-side scripting language refers to those that run off a web server. Since it performs
from the back-end side, the script is not visible to the visitor. Because of that, it is a more secure
approach.

They are often used to create dynamic websites and platforms, handle user queries, and generate
and provide data and others. A famous example of server-side scripting is the use of PHP in
WordPress.

Examples: PHP, Python, Node.js, Perl, and Ruby.

Client-side scripting language

Unlike the above, client-side scripting languages run off the user’s browser.

It is usually performed at the front-end, which makes it visible to visitors and makes it less vulnerable
to exploits and leaks. As such, it is often used to build user interfaces and lighter functionality such as
that.

Since it runs locally, they usually provide better performance and, therefore, do not strain your server.

Examples: HTML, CSS, jQuery, and JavaScript.

5 Scripting Languages Examples

Now that you know the types, let’s take a closer look at some of the different scripting languages out
there to choose from. Each has its own unique advantages and potential uses.

1. JavaScript

Also sometimes abbreviated as simply “JS”, JavaScript is probably the best-known scripting

language, as it’s a pillar of the web as we know it (right along with HTML and CSS). 

In fact, about 98 percent of websites currently on the web use JavaScript.

JavaScript is considered a subdialect of the ECMAScript language, so it utilizes the same syntax. It
also supports key features like first-class functions, dynamic typing, prototype-based object
orientation, and more.

2. Python

After JavaScript, Python is easily the most popular, best-known scripting language in use today. 

Programmers love it for its sheer ease of use and concise syntax systems, as they can create code
significantly more quickly and with less actual typing involved.

Python is also free and open-source, making it a highly accessible scripting language. Features
supported by Python include functional programming paradigms, object-oriented programming, and
more.

3. PHP

PHP is an open-source scripting language commonly used by backend web developers. 

The name began as an acronym for “personal home page” — a callback to PHP’s origins as a way to
make static HTML pages more functional and dynamic.

However, modern PHP is very much its own standalone scripting language. 

PHP features object-oriented programming options and can be easily embedded into HTML
documents of all types. Input is also fairly loose and easy, meaning programmers don’t need to
declare variable data types.
4. Ruby

Ruby’s claim to fame is its flexibility, making it a favorite among web developers of all types. 

Among other things, it takes so much of the guesswork out of creating truly innovative software. It’s
also incredibly easy to learn, thanks to its clean syntax, making Ruby an especially popular pick for
beginning coders.

Ruby is a strictly object-oriented scripting language, so everything becomes an object when working

with it. This is even the case for factors like integers or Booleans that are usually more primitive.

5. Perl

Perl is a general scripting language that’s been around a very long time — since December of 1987,
to be exact. 

It started out as a UNIX language primarily used to process reports. (Its name even originates from
the phrase “practical extraction and reporting language”.)

Perl really began to gain traction throughout the 1990s when coders used it heavily for CGI (common
gateway interface), a specification most often seen today on legacy websites. 

However, it remains fairly popular because of its innovation and suitability for text manipulation tasks.
What are the Advantages of Using Scripting
Languages?
Scripting languages can be highly beneficial to your projects, as they add several new features to
applications and web pages.

Learning about how to use them might give you an edge on your capabilities without the heavy
requirements of time and resources of traditional programming languages.

Here are the most important benefits of using scripting languages in your processes.

Easy to learn and use

They are often pointed as great starting points for those interested in learning programming.

That is because they are considerably easier to learn and use than traditional languages. This
means that you can quickly implement the scripts you need without them requiring a lot of time and
resources to be invested in them.

Open-source and free

Anyone can use scripting languages without any restrictions.

All they have to do is learn them and implement their capabilities into their structure. They are all
open-source, which means anybody can contribute to their development on a global scale.

This also contributes to the security of systems that use them.

Portable and cross-platform

Since scripting languages run off a remote server or from the visitor’s web browser, they have
another highly valuable benefit: they are portable and cross-platform.

This means no additional software needs to be installed to run them and any browser can
execute their functions under any operating system and platform such as WordPress.

Lighter memory requirement

Unlike what happens with traditional programming, scripting languages do not require compilers to
store an executable file to be run.

Instead, they use interpreters, which contributes to a much smaller memory requirement on the
system running them — either the server or the user’s local machine.
What are the Disadvantages of Using
Scripting Languages?
Despite being the optimal choice for certain cases, scripting languages are not the right fit for others.
As with any tool, you should know its disadvantages to make a proper decision when planning your
project.

Below are the most notable disadvantages of using scripting languages in your business.

Lack of optimizations
Unlike what happens to most programming languages, scripting languages have each statement line
individually analyzed by the compiler without any optimizations. This might cause an impact on
performance.

Slower execution
Additionally, most scripting language interpreters are slower than compilers. That is because
traditional programming languages are usually converted to machine code before being compiled,
thus offering faster execution for the users.

Organization requirements
When taking advantage of the benefits of these languages, you might reach a point where your
application or website is filled with them.

This requires extra attention to organize everything and keep track of which scripts you are using.
Otherwise, it will be impractical to maintain them.

Time commitment on updates

In order for your scripts to continue to function properly, they need to be updated regularly.

This is necessary whenever browsers receive significant new versions or when your own website
changes in some radical way. Making such adaptations requires extensive knowledge of the
language and the script itself.

What are the More Common Uses of

Scripting Languages?
As with scripts in general, scripting languages are mostly used to automate processes at the
application level.

At the command line or through a web server, they are able to execute programs running on a web
server and display the appropriate results to the users.

The most common applications for these languages differ depending on their kind.

For instance, command-line scripting languages such as Bush and PowerShell are used
to condense sequences of commands. Meanwhile, process automation at the application level can
be done by using VBA and AppleScript. 
Additionally, scripting languages like PHP, Python, Perl, and JavaScript are employed at the
webserver level to power dynamic websites and applications.

Lastly, initiatives in data research and statistics often use this type of language to extend their
processes. In these cases, R and Python are the most common.

Here are some examples of applications for scripting languages. Check them out!

1. Task automation locally or remotely

As with any other kind of programming language, scripting helps you automate repetitive tasks based
on patterns.

You can use languages like Python to optimize long processes within the applications or platforms
you or your business already use. 

2. Beginner-friendly short scripts

The use of scripting languages does not require the same time commitment of more complex
programming languages.

As such, they are beginner-friendly, especially when dealing with one such as Python. Despite this, it
is able to power collaboration platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and even Google.

3. Create and manage dynamic content

Scripting languages help make the web more dynamic than its traditional static pages.

This is the case of displaying different data depending on the decisions made by the visitor, thus
customizing the experience. An example of this is WordPress, which uses PHP embedded with
HTML code to serve content hosted in its databases.

4. Back-end programming for complex systems

Most modern web applications such as YouTube, Gmail, and social network sites run on a series of
scripting languages in the back-end. Among those is JavaScript, which is the most popular language
across websites according to W3Techs.