Script

Advantages of a scripts:

• Open source, allowing users to easily view and edit the script if needed.
• Does not require the file to be compiled, but commonly can be if needed.
• Commonly very easy to learn and write. Of course, this all depends upon the user's perspective and the actual language.
• Commonly easy to port between different types of operating systems.
• Commonly much faster to develop than an actual program. Some individuals and companies often write scripts as a prototype for their programs.

Disadvantages of scripts:

• Open source, allows others to view source code, which may be prohibited by some companies.
• In some situations, may be slower than a compiled program.
• May require the user to install an interpreter or separate program before the script can be run.

A listing of scripting languages and programming languages can be found through our programming language definition.

Also see: Automation, Command language, Macro, Programming definitions, Shell script