As a tech professional, you must be familiar with scripting and programming languages. They are actively used in software development and to perform various IT-related tasks. However, most programmers don’t understand the difference between programming and scripting languages.
Generally speaking, all scripting languages are also programming languages. They have a lot of similarities; nevertheless, there are several differences.
For instance, scripting languages are interpreted and don’t need compilation. That means they are not translated into machine code, instead, executed by line. As a result, programmers can write code to automate tasks and improve the functionality of web pages.
On the other hand, programming languages require the compilation of machine code to perform specific tasks. Programmers have to deploy a certain IDE and give instructions to hardware to achieve the desired objectives.
Let’s compare programming vs scripting language in detail and understand their key differences in this article.
What is a Scripting Language?
A scripting language is a kind of programming language that is interpreted and not compiled. Scripting is used to automate certain processes that require more intervention to write complex codes manually. Besides, scripts are embedded within comprehensive apps to add specific functionalities.
One key benefit of scripting languages is that they are simpler to learn and use. They enable quick prototyping, automation, and simplified project development.
In addition to simplicity, scripting languages offer high-level constructs that abstract much of the underlying machine complexity. As a result, developers can concentrate more on problem-solving instead of handling non-critical system details.
However, the interpretation may run scripts more slowly than compiled languages since the interpreter takes more time to read and process each line of code in real-time.
Examples of Scripting Languages
JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and PHP are popular scripting programming languages with diverse applications in data science, web development, and automation.
What is a Programming Language?
A programming language is a formal language. It comprises a set of instructions used to develop software, applications, and systems. Unlike scripting languages, most programming languages are first compiled into machine code and later executed directly by a computer’s CPU.
There are two levels of programming languages: low and high.
Low-level languages, such as assembly and machine code, are closer to hardware. Programmers have to work directly on memory and power management. On the other hand, high-level languages like Java, C++, and Python allow for abstraction from those details so that developers may write and maintain code more easily.
Most programming languages are designed for large-scale applications. They have certain syntax structures, data types, control structures, loops, and functions. Developers use programming languages to write code in a clear, modularity, and efficient way. Hence, they are faster compared to other languages and suitable for applications where performance matters.
Examples of Programming Languages
Java, C++, Python, and C# are programming languages used to build web and mobile apps, video games, and real-time software systems.
Programming vs Scripting Language: 7 Key Differences
Here are seven key differences that distinguish programming languages from scripting languages:
1. Execution Model
The primary difference between programming and scripting languages is their execution model. Scripting languages are generally interpreted. That means their code is executed one line at a time by an interpreter at execution time.
Conversely, programming languages are usually compiled. The entire source code is translated into machine language before execution. This compilation offers robust performance since the system does not have to interpret the code at execution time.
2. Purpose
Scripting languages are typically used for smaller, task-oriented jobs, such as automation of repetitive tasks or configuration of systems. JavaScript, for example, adds interactivity to web pages while maintenance routines for systems are automated with Bash scripts.
On the other hand, programming languages develop independent applications, operating systems, and complex software. Languages like Java, C++, and C# generally constitute the core of enterprise applications, game development, and system software.
3. Complexity
Programming languages are more complex than scripting languages. They demand extensive knowledge of system architecture, memory management, and data structures.
For example, if a developer decides to write a large-scale application in C++, they must understand concepts including pointers, memory allocation, and object-oriented programming. However, scripting languages allow a much higher level of abstraction.
For instance, Python abstractions for memory management and system calls make the language easier for beginners.
4. Development Speed
Scripting languages speed up the development; thanks to their simplicity and ease of use. Dynamic typing means a developer does not need to define types of data for variables explicitly in the code, which reduces the number of lines in the script.
In addition, scripts are usually shorter in length and their interpreted nature allows fast iterations and testing.
Programming languages, especially those compiled like C++ or Java, take more development time for compiling and debugging. Nevertheless, they are ideal for building more robust and efficient software with complex functionalities.
5. Performance
Among the most significant differences between a programming vs scripting language is performance. Compiled programming languages run much faster compared to interpreted scripting languages.
Programming languages such as app development languages are translated directly into machine code. They can take full advantage of the CPU’s power. However, Scripting languages are interpreted and require processing each line of code in real time.
The interpretation, thus makes scripting languages less suitable for performance-critical programs like video games or real-time systems.
6. Environment Dependency
The scripting languages usually run within an environment or some application. For example, JavaScript runs in the browser while PHP runs on the server, and Bash scripts run in the shell. These environments are designed for specific tasks. That is why scripting languages are more suitable for automation and configuration.
Programming languages, however, are more versatile because they have been designed to create standalone applications. They can be compiled once and should then run on any system. Java, for instance, is compiled into bytecode and then can run on any platform with a JVM (Java Virtual Machine).
7. Extensibility
Programming languages are more extensible than scripting languages. They allow developers to implement complex features like building custom data structures and complicated algorithms at the hardware level.
For instance, C++ implements operator overloading, template creation, and optimization of its performance to an extreme level.
While scripting languages are more powerful, most of them target simpler and more specific tasks. Having said that, they can be extended by the use of modules and libraries like Python libraries. Despite that, programmers don’t get more control over system resources while using scripting languages.
Final Thoughts
Scripting languages and programming languages both play vital roles in the development of modern software. Each language is designed for different aims according to the complexity, performance, and nature of the tasks.
Typical applications of scripting languages are task automation, dynamic web content enhancement, and embedding ease of use with minimal coding. Likewise, their interpreted nature makes them very suitable for rapid development and prototyping situations where flexibility and speed are more important than performance.
On the other hand, the backbone of large enterprise applications that need high performance are programming languages. Since they are compiled, they can utilize the system resources completely. Hence, they are ideal for developing complex systems such as operating systems, video games, etc.
The choice between a scripting or programming language depends on project goals and purposes. While scripting languages ensure convenience and speed, programming languages offer the required structure and power. Hence, extensive knowledge of differences is necessary to make informed decisions.
