What is the Difference Between Scripting Language and Programming Language

The main difference between scripting language and programming language is that the source code written in a scripting language is converted into machine code using an interpreter while the source code written in a programming language is converted into machine code using a compiler or an interpreter.

A scripting language is a computer language with a series of commands within a file, which is capable of being executed without being compiled. A programming language is a language that provides rules, syntax and commands to develop computer programs. These programs are developed by following an algorithm, which is a sequence of sets to solve a particular problem.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Scripting Language
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is a Programming Language
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the Relationship Between Scripting Language and Programming Language
     – Outline of Association
4. What is the Difference Between Scripting Language and Programming Language
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Scripting Language, Programming Language

What is a Scripting Language

A scripting language is a programming language that interprets and execute one command at a time. These languages are easier to learn and code. The program written using a scripting language is converted into machine code by an interpreter. It reads the source code one line at a time and converts them into machine code. Therefore, the programs written in scripting languages are executed slower.

Figure 1: Scripting Languages

Scripting languages can be divided into client-side scripting and server-side scripting.  Client-side scripting languages generate a code that executes in web browsers. One example is JavaScript. Server-side scripting languages generate code that executes on a web server. Perl, PHP, Python and Ruby are some examples.

What is a Programming Language

A programming language is a formal language that can be used to create computer programs that instruct the computer to perform a task. The programming languages can be high level or low-level languages.

High-level languages are easier for the programmer to read and understand. These programs or source codes are converted into machine code using a compiler or an interpreter. A compiler converts the whole source code into machine code at once. Therefore, compiler-based programming languages are fast. Some examples are C and C++. An interpreter converts a source code line by line to machine code at once. Therefore, these programs take time to execute. Some examples are PHP, Perl and Python. They are also known as scripting languages.

Figure 2: Programming Languages

Furthermore, low-level programming languages are more machine friendly. Assembly is an example of a low-level programming language. An assembly program is converted into machine code using an assembler.

Relationship Between Scripting Language and Programming Language

• Scripting languages are also programming languages.

Difference Between Scripting Language and Programming Language

Definition

A scripting or script language is a programming language that supports scripts: programs written for a special run-time environment that automate the execution of tasks. A programming language is a formal language, which comprises a set of instructions used to produce various kinds of output. Thus, this is the fundamental difference between scripting language and programming language. 

Speed

Execution speed of a scripting language is slow. In programming languages, compiler-based languages are executed much faster while interpreter-based languages are executed slower. This is a major difference between scripting language and programming language. 

Categories

Furthermore, scripting languages can be divided into client-side scripting languages and server-side scripting languages. Programming languages can be divided into high-level, low-level languages or compiler-based or interpreter-based languages.

Complexity

Another difference between scripting language and programming language is that scripting languages are easier to learn than compiler-based programming languages.

Examples

JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Python and Ruby are some examples for scripting languages. They can be also considered as programming languages. C, C++, and Assembly are some examples for programming languages.

Usage

Scripting languages are mostly used for web development. Programming languages are used to develop various applications such as desktop, web, mobile, etc.

Conclusion

The difference between scripting language and programming language is that the source code written in a scripting language is converted into the machine code using an interpreter while the source code written in a programming language is converted into the machine code using a compiler or an interpreter.

Reference:

1. “What Is Scripting Language? – Definition from WhatIs.com.” SearchWinDevelopment, Available here.
2. “Programming Language.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Sept. 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “ru.do” by Ecin Krispie (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “898961” (CC0) via Pixabay