Many people often do not know the differences between scripting languages and programming languages and use the terms interchangeably. They might sound similar but are quite different from each other. Everyone who wants to set foot in the world of software development must know the differences between scripting languages and programming languages. Recent developments in the world of programming have, however, blurred the line of distinction between them.
Both languages are used for software development. All scripting languages can be used as programming languages but vice versa is not true. The basic difference between them is that scripting languages are not compiled, they are interpreted. Before the advent of scripting languages, programming languages were used to develop software like Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Internet Explorer, etc. However, there arose a need for languages to incorporate additional functionalities, hence the need for scripting languages. Let us now understand scripting language and programming languages in detail, and then we will look at some differences between them.
Table Of Contents
show
- What is a Scripting Language?
- Key Features of Scripting Language
- What is a Programming Language?
- Key Features of Programming Languages
- Are Scripting Languages and Programming Languages the same?
- Difference Between Scripting Language and Programming Language
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Important Resources
What is a Scripting Language?
A scripting language is a programming language designed specifically for runtime environments. It automates the execution of tasks. They are used in system administration, web development, games, and creating plugins and extensions. These languages are interpreted languages (An Interpreter executes instructions written in a programming or scripting language directly, without requiring them previously to have been compiled into a machine language program), and they bring new functionalities to the applications. These languages are usually short and snappy and are interpreted from the source or byte code. Mostly, scripting languages are open-sourced languages and are supported by almost every platform, which means that no special kind of software is required to run them, as they are a set of commands run without the use of a compiler.
Depending on your aim and circumstances, using a scripting language is better. There are two main types of scripting languages-
Confused about your next job?
In 3 simple steps you can find your personalised career roadmap in Software development for FREE
- Server-side scripting language: Server-side scripting languages are used to create dynamic web pages. They are executed at a web server. These languages perform backend operations. Examples- PHP, Python, Node.js, Ruby, and Pearl.
- Client-side scripting language: Client-side scripting language runs off the browsers. These languages are considered front end languages. Examples- HTML, jQuery, CSS and JavaScript.
Key Features of Scripting Language
- Easy to learn and use- They are often a great starting point for those who want to step their foot in the world of development. They are easy to learn and implement. JavaScript and PHP are some of the easiest scripting languages.
- Open-source and free- Most of the scripting languages are open-sourced, which means there are no limits on who can utilize scripting languages. All they have to do now is study them and integrate them into their existing system. They’re all open-source, which means anyone around the world can contribute to their development.
- Powerful and extensible- Scripting languages are powerful (in terms of application) enough so that the necessary tasks can be accomplished with the scripts. Scripting languages are also highly extensible, i.e., you can add certain features if you feel them necessary.
- Cross-Platform- Scripting languages offer another significant advantage: they are portable and cross-platform, as they execute on a remote server or in the visitor’s web browser. This means they don’t require any additional software to run, and they can be used with any browser on any operating system and platform.
- Lighter memory requirements- Unlike programming languages, they are not compiled, instead, they are interpreted. Therefore, they require smaller memory from the systems running them.
- Runtime Execution- An application can be configured and modified while it is running using a system that permits code to be executed during runtime. This capacity is, in fact, the most important feature that makes scripting languages so important in most applications. Debugging and a rich in-game console are both aided by runtime code execution.
- Safe and secure- Scripting languages have been designed with security in mind. A scripting language does not allow any illicit operations to be performed from the script and even stops native code from accessing information stored in the script.
What is a Programming Language?
A programming language is used to interact with computers to develop mostly used to build desktop apps, websites, and mobile apps. It’s a sequence of instructions written to accomplish a given goal. C, C++, Java, and Python are some of the examples of programming languages. Programming languages usually consist of two components-syntax(form) and semantics(meaning). They are used to implement algorithms and enable computers to perform actions.
Programming languages can be classified into three categories:
- Machine language- Machine language is a type of low-level language that computers can understand easily. They are composed of instructions in binary or hexadecimal and are the elemental language of computers.
- Assembly language- Assembly language (ASM) is yet another low-level programming language created for specific processors. It is just a symbolic and human-understandable representation of the collection of instructions. It translates assembly language to machine language using an assembler.
- High-level language- HLL is a high-level programming language that is used to create user-friendly software and websites. This programming language necessitates the use of a compiler or interpreter to convert the code written by the user to the machine language (language understood by the computer). A high-level language’s main advantage is that it is simple to read, write, and maintain. Python, Java, JavaScript, PHP, C#, C++, Cobol, Perl, Pascal, LISP, FORTRAN, and Swift are examples of high-level programming languages. High-level language can be further divided into:
- Procedural-oriented programming languages
- Object-oriented programming languages
- Natural Language
Key Features of Programming Languages
- Simplicity: Most modern languages like Python have a simple learning curve. There is usually a tradeoff between the simplicity of a language and its speed and abstraction (ability to hide complicated details).
- Structure: Every programming language follows a proper predefined structure like predefined syntax, semantics, set of rules, etc.
- Abstraction: It refers to the ability of the programming language to hide complicated details which might be unnecessary for the users. It is one of the most important and essential features of object-oriented programming languages.
- Efficiency: To avoid consuming too much memory or taking too long, programming languages are translated and performed efficiently.
- Portability: Programming languages are portable, which means that they should be simple to transfer from one computer to another.
Are Scripting Languages and Programming Languages the same?
No, scripting languages and programming languages are not the same. Programming languages were created to make complex software, whereas scripting languages were created to assist programming languages. Programming languages are compiled whereas scripting languages are interpreted. We shall have a look at some differences between programming languages and scripting languages in the next section.
Difference Between Scripting Language and Programming Language
Let’s now look at some of the differences between programming languages and scripting languages. The table below contains some contrasting features between these languages.
| Programming Language | Scripting Language |
| A programming language is a type of computer language that consists of a set of instructions for communicating with computers. | A scripting language is a kind of programming language that is used to automate the execution of operations in a runtime environment. |
| Most programming languages are compiled. The translation overhead is incurred just once when the source is compiled; after that, it merely needs to be loaded and run. | Most scripting languages are interpreted languages. They must be parsed, interpreted, and executed each time the program is run. |
| Traditional programming languages are based on low-level languages. | Scripting languages generally prefer high-level languages. |
| Execution of a program takes more time since they are compiled. | Execution of a script takes less time as scripts are generally short. |
| It is used to create a new program or piece of software from the scratch. | It is used to enhance an existing program or automate a specific task. A scripting language is used to control the behavior of a program. |
| Most regular programming languages are stronger in data and control abstraction. | Scripting languages generally emphasize the extensibility and richness of expressions. |
| Furthermore, a programming language runs or executes independently. | A scripting language runs inside a parent program. |
| A programming language generally requires many lines of code to accomplish a particular task. | A scripting language usually requires fewer lines than a programming language to accomplish a task. |
| Programming languages have high maintenance costs. | Scripting languages typically have a low maintenance cost. |
| Programming languages generate .exe files. | Scripting languages do not create .exe files. |
| User interface design and graphic design are often partially supported by programming languages. | User interface design, data types, and graphic design are all greatly aided by scripting languages. |
| Programming languages are designed to make full-fledged software development easier. | Scripting languages are used to assist programming languages and make coding easier and faster. They are typically used for open projects and web development. |
| Programming language code takes a long time to develop since more code must be written (in most cases). | Scripting languages take less time to code, as fewer lines (in most cases) of code are to be written. |
| Programming languages are self-executable. | Scripting languages require a host. |
| All programming languages are not scripting languages. | All scripting languages are programming languages. |
| Examples include C, C++, Java, Python, etc. | Examples include Perl, PHP, JavaScript, etc. |
Conclusion
We thus conclude that the execution process and environment are the fundamental differences between programming languages and scripting languages. Scripting languages can alternatively be described as extensions to existing programs (written in a programming language). The majority of programs and software are written in programming languages, although functionality is defined using scripting languages. While programming languages are used to develop programs and software from scratch, scripting languages are used to incorporate additional functionalities into the program. The growing demands for dynamic web pages and apps have further intensified the demand for scripting languages, and the need for traditional programming structures to build complex software products is never going to cede. Scripting languages are beautiful structures that stand on the base that programming languages are. Both languages have their own set of pros and cons and are meant to complement each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is SQL a scripting language?
Yes. SQL is a fourth-generation language, which means it’s a scripting language that doesn’t need to be compiled. SQL, like most fourth-generation languages, necessitates the use of a translator rather than a compiler.
- Is scripting harder than programming?
No, scripting is not harder than programming. In fact, it is easier to learn and use a scripting language than a programming language.
- Which scripting language is easy?
Almost all scripting languages are easy to learn. JavaScript and PHP are some of the easiest scripting languages.
- Is HTML a scripting language?
No. HTML is not a scripting language. It is a markup language used to design documents to be displayed in web browsers.
- Is scripting language a programming language?
A scripting language is a programming language that uses an interpreter instead of a compiler to execute tasks within a unique run-time environment. They’re usually short and quick, and they’re interpreted from source or byte code.
Important Resources
- Difference Between Coding and Programming
- Coding Practice
- Programming Courses
- Coding Interview Questions
- Coding Books
FAQs
Scripting Language Vs Programming Language: What’s The Difference? ›
Programming languages are designed to make full-fledged software development easier. Scripting languages are used to assist programming languages and make coding easier and faster. They are typically used for open projects and web development.
What is the main difference between programming language and scripting language? ›Scripting languages help write a small piece of an entire code. Programming languages help write the full code concerning a program. These take less time because they involve lesser code. These take more time because a programmer must write the entire code.
What is the difference between Python scripting and programming language? ›Python scripting language does not require compilation before execution. C++ programming languages, on the other hand, require compilation before execution. Script language is easy to learn and is used to increase the functionality of web pages. It also uses less code.
Why JavaScript is called a scripting language and not a programming language? ›JavaScript is not a programming language in strict sense. Instead, it is a scripting language because it uses the browser to do the dirty work. If you command an image to be replaced by another one, JavaScript tells the browser to go do it.
Why is scripting easier than programming? ›In general, scripting is often easier to learn than programming, as scripting languages typically have fewer syntax rules and conventions, and they may also provide a higher-level abstraction of programming, making it easier to accomplish common tasks with less code.
Is Python both scripting or programming? ›Python is an advanced scripting language that is being used successfully to glue together large software components. It spans multiple platforms, middleware products, and application domains. Python is an object-oriented language with high-level data structures, dynamic typing, and dynamic binding.
Is HTML a scripting or programming language? ›HTML is not a programming language. It's a markup language. In fact, that is the technology's name: HyperText Markup Language.
Is Python still scripting language? ›Scripting languages are a specific kind of computer languages that you can use to give instructions to other software, such as a web browser, server, or standalone application. Many of today's most popular coding languages are scripting languages, such as JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, and Python.
What is the difference between scripting language and C++? ›Answer: Programs written in C++ are compiled and then the compiled code runs to generate the output. C++ is thus a programming language and not a scripting language, since scripting languages are directly interpreted at run time and no prior compilation of the code takes place.
What is meant by scripting language? ›A scripting language is a programming language that employs a high-level construct to interpret and execute one command at a time. In general, scripting languages are easier to learn and faster to code in than more structured and compiled languages such as C and C++.
What is an example of a scripting language? ›
You have probably already heard of PHP, Python, JavaScript, and jQuery. These are just a few examples of scripting languages that power the web and plenty of applications you and millions of other Internet users execute every day.
What are the two types of scripting languages? ›There are two types of scripting languages — server-side and client-side.
Why Java is not a scripting language? ›Java is an OOP programming language while Java Script is an OOP scripting language. Java creates applications that run in a virtual machine or browser while JavaScript code is run on a browser only. Java code needs to be compiled while JavaScript code are all in text. They require different plug-ins.
What is the hardest scripting language to learn? ›Malbolge. This language is so hard that it has to be set aside in its own paragraph. Malbolge is by far the hardest programming language to learn, which can be seen from the fact that it took no less than two years to finish writing the first Malbolge code.
Should I learn scripting before coding? ›And markup languages, like HTML, indicate how a page should look. Many scripting languages, like Python or JavaScript, can also be used to program or build full applications. Learning scripting languages is a good first step if you're interested in a coding or programming career.
Is C scripting or programming? ›All scripting languages are programming languages. Examples include C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Why is Python called scripting? ›A scripting language is one that is interpreted. Python is an interpreted language. Python uses an interpreter to translate and run its code. Hence Python is a scripting language.
Can C++ call a Python script? ›C/C++ calls Python script. Command Python is called by C function system. The Python script called by the above C function system is this, whose name is ck.py, and is stored in the current folder at the time when the C program is running. The above script calls command dir by subprocess.
Is SQL scripting language? ›SQL is a fourth-generation language, meaning it is a scripting language that does not require compiling to run. Like most fourth-generation languages, SQL requires an interpreter that translates rather than compiles code. As with all languages, SQL has rules for issuing commands and queries.
Is SQL a program language? ›SQL is, fundamentally, a programming language designed for accessing, modifying and extracting information from relational databases. As a programming language, SQL has commands and a syntax for issuing those commands.
Is XML a scripting language or not? ›
XML is not a programming language. However, as a markup language, it is used to annotate data using tags, which interpret that data.
What language is replacing Python? ›AI infrastructure company, Modular AI, recently unveiled Mojo, a new programming language that combines the syntax of Python along with the portability and speed of C, making it ideal for both research and production.
Is Python a snake or a programming language? ›Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language.
Is JavaScript is a scripting language? ›JavaScript is a scripting language that enables you to create dynamically updating content, control multimedia, animate images, and pretty much everything else.
What are the examples of scripting vs programming languages? ›C++, C#, Java, Basic, Pascal, and COBOL are a few examples of programming languages. JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rexx, etc., are some of the examples of scripting language.
Which is better visual scripting or programming? ›Most people find that learning visual scripting comes a lot faster than learning a traditional programming language like C++. That's because most visual scripting tools have a drag-and-drop interface, which is more accessible for beginners — especially if you don't have a programming background.
How many programming languages are there? ›According to the Online Historical Encyclopaedia of Programming Languages, people have created about 8,945 coding languages. Today, various sources report anywhere from 250-2,500 coding languages, although far fewer rank as top contenders in the commonly used group.
Why is it called scripting? ›The idea of a scripting language is one that instructs a host to carry out a series of actions (a lot like an actor reading from a script). Javascript tells a browser what to do and how to process things just the same way that a shell script, php, or any other scripting language does for their respective hosts.
What is scripting in HTML? ›Definition and Usage. The <script> tag is used to embed a client-side script (JavaScript). The <script> element either contains scripting statements, or it points to an external script file through the src attribute. Common uses for JavaScript are image manipulation, form validation, and dynamic changes of content.
What is the most common scripting language? ›JavaScript is the most common coding language in use today around the world. This is for a good reason: most web browsers utilize it and it's one of the easiest languages to learn. JavaScript requires almost no prior coding knowledge — once you start learning, you can practice and play with it immediately.
Is Linux a scripting language? ›
Shell scripting is an important part of process automation in Linux. Scripting helps you write a sequence of commands in a file and then execute them. This saves you time because you don't have to write certain commands again and again.
What is Python scripting? ›A Python script is a set of commands included in a file that is intended to be run similarly to a program. The concept is that the file will be run or performed from the command line or from within a Python interactive shell to perform a particular activity.
Is Python a JavaScript? ›(FRONT-END) JavaScript is browser-native, whereas Python is not. (BACK-END) Neither JavaScript nor Python are web-native programming languages. As a result, they will work in tandem.
Should I learn Java or JavaScript? ›Java is easier to learn than C and C++ as a point of interest, but JavaScript usually wins out as the most straightforward. Javascript is easy to learn because it is interpreted at runtime and does not require a lot of technology running behind the scenes.
Which is better Java or Python? ›Java and Python are two of the most popular programming languages. Of the two, Java is the faster language, but Python is simpler and easier to learn. Each is well-established, platform-independent, and part of a large, supportive community.
What is the fastest scripting language in the world? ›- C/C++ C and C++ are also compiled languages. ...
- Go. Go, also known as Golang, is a programming language developed by Google. ...
- C# C# is a language, like Java, that first compiles to a virtual language and then is interpreted by a VM. ...
- Java. ...
- Swift.
Python is always recommended if you're looking for an easy and even fun programming language to learn first. Rather than having to jump into strict syntax rules, Python reads like English and is simple to understand for someone who's new to programming.
How long does it take to learn scripting language? ›How Long Does It Take to Learn Coding? Most coders agree that it takes three to six months to be comfortable with the basics of coding. But you can learn coding faster or slower depending on your preferred pace.
How hard is it to learn scripting? ›One of the pros of learning a scripting language is that these open-source languages are easy to learn, simple to work with, and relatively fast to develop, making this a good starting point even if you have no previous experience.
What programming language did Bill Gates develop? ›| The title page of the assembly language code that produced Altair BASIC | |
|---|---|
| Original author(s) | Micro-Soft |
| Developer(s) | Bill Gates Paul Allen Monte Davidoff |
| Initial release | 2.0 (4K and 8K editions) July 1, 1975 |
| Stable release | 5.0 / 14 July 1978 |
How long does it take to learn Python for scripting? ›
In general, it takes around two to six months to learn the fundamentals of Python. But you can learn enough to write your first short program in a matter of minutes. Developing mastery of Python's vast array of libraries can take months or years.
Which is easier Python or JavaScript? ›Is JavaScript or Python Easier? From the perspective of getting started, it is much easier to learn Python than to learn JavaScript. In fact, one of the main design objectives of the Python programming language is being easy to understand and implement. That's not to say JavaScript is a difficult language to learn.
What is the main characteristic of a programming language that distinguishes it from a scripting language? ›What is the main characteristic of a programming language that distinguishes it from a scripting language? Programming languages are traditionally compiled, whereas scripting languages are traditionally interpreted.
What makes a programming language a scripting language? ›A scripting language is a programming language that employs a high-level construct to interpret and execute one command at a time. In general, scripting languages are easier to learn and faster to code in than more structured and compiled languages such as C and C++.
Is JavaScript a script or programming language? ›JavaScript is a scripting language that enables you to create dynamically updating content, control multimedia, animate images, and pretty much everything else.
What accurately describes a scripting language? ›A scripting language or script language is a programming language that is used to manipulate, customize, and automate the facilities of an existing system. Scripting languages are usually interpreted at runtime rather than compiled.
What are the examples of scripting vs programming? ›C++, C#, Java, Basic, Pascal, and COBOL are a few examples of programming languages. JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rexx, etc., are some of the examples of scripting language.
What are two types of scripting language? ›There are two types of scripting languages — server-side and client-side. The server-side includes code that runs in the background and is not visible to users. Client-side involves any code that runs on a browser and that the user can interact with on the website.