When building an online application or simply adding some additional dynamics to a website, there is a special resource you need: scripting languages.
Scripting languages are types of programming languages where the instructions are written for a run-time environment, to bring new functions to applications, and integrate or communicate complex systems and other programming languages.
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.
While all scripting languages are programming languages, not all programming languages are scripting languages. This means that certain capabilities are exclusive to either of them, which requires the right amount of knowledge to use the appropriate ones.
When building an online application or simply adding some additional dynamics to a website, there is a special resource you need: scripting languages.
Learning about them and knowing which ones to use is essential to enjoy all that the modern web has to offer.
Scripting languages are types of programming languages where the instructions are written for a run-time environment, to bring new functions to applications, and integrate or communicate complex systems and other programming languages.
You have probably already heard of PHP, Python, JavaScript and jQuery.
What are scripting languages?
A scripting language is a programming language that executes tasks within a special run-time environment by an interpreter instead of a compiler. They are usually short, fast, and interpreted from source code or bytecode.
Such environments include software applications, web pages, and even embedded systems in operating system shells and games. Most modern structures support these languages, which gives them a wide support while also being developed through an open-source process.
Using a scripting language is preferable depending on your goals and environment. As they are a series of commands executed with no need for a compiler, they are cross-platform and do not require special software to be installed in order to run — except for a web browser, of course.
There are pros and cons to using this type of programming language, as well as the right scenario for each option in this field. It is important to learn their differences and applications before starting any project in which you might use them.
Scripting languages examples
There are two main types: 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.
Below, you will learn more about each of these types of scripting languages and some examples.
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.