Alex Hoffman

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What is a Script?

Cory Smith, implies in a comment to my line feed post, that a compiled language (VB.NET) and scripting are mutually exclusive.

"I'm not sure what you mean by "scripting" product... VB.NET is compiled to the exact same framework in the exact same way as C#. Don't make statements like this about something that you have even expressed yourself that you don't know about. It's just different, not any better or worse than C#."

If you ask any number of developers exactly what scripting is,your likely to receive a plethora of answers rather than any consensus on what actually constitutes a "script". A lot of the answers will describe attributes of scripting. Amongst them...

  • Script languages are "simple languages".
  • Scripts are interpreted rather than compiled.
  • Script languages are "lightweight".
  • Scripting allows "typeless" programming.
  • Script languages are associated with a particular application or task.

While all these may or may not be correct, the problem is that most articles and books do not offer a definition. The reader is left in the same state as one of those three monkeys describing an elephant.

So let me propose one...

"A script is program code whose method or unit of re-use and distribution is text."

As such, any of the .NET languages can be used as a script language.

Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003 11:17 PM by Alex Hoffman

Comments

# re: What is a Script?@ Monday, April 28, 2003 4:40 PM

Watch out for that guy. He is the "VB Defender" and will comment harshly on anything specifically related c# and not vb.net.

Jeff Julian

# re: What is a Script?@ Monday, April 28, 2003 4:50 PM

From dictionary.com the definition is: <i>Computer Science</i>. A simple program in a utility language or an application's proprietary language.

However, usually scripting mean that a language is something that is utterly simplisting and not capable of programming tasks associated with modern languages; such as object oriented programming. Although this can be argued; calling something a scripting language is usually refering to it as something that is simpler than something else.

However, my point was that you were frustrated by the differences between the two languages. You came across as saying that VB.NET was somehow inferior to C# because of the problems you were experiencing. I attempted to offer an explaination to some of these differences; some solutions to make those differences more similar and even offer a function that you can use to even add similiar excape sequences to your code.

If I came across a rude, I appologize. That was not my intent. However, splashing my name up across .NETWebLogs; now that is "rude".

You make no mention of the fact that I attempted to explain and offer assistance for your specific problems; just that I was "rude".

Even this post states exactly what you are quiting me as saying; just with a twist. You come across saying that VB.NET is a "scripting" language (implying that C# isn't or that VB.NET is inferior); now your post is saying that *ALL* languages are scripting languages. So what was the point of pointing out VB.NET was a scripting langauge?

Cory Smith

# re: What is a Script?@ Monday, April 28, 2003 5:16 PM

Cory, I wasn't making any judgement about the two languages. Rather, I need to solve the specific problem described in regards to a actual product used by a large number of users. That product produces an unexpected result which is clearly unacceptable. I sought your help, not what I believe was a quite innappropriate response.

Alex Hoffman

# re: What is a Script?@ Monday, April 28, 2003 5:47 PM

Alex

You are saying that you weren't making a judgement; it came across that way by way of your frustration with the differences between the languages. Even now, you state that "product produces an unexpected result which is clearly unacceptable." It's just the way the language is... you might consider it unacceptable; but most of these items are easily solvable (which I even provided). There are things in C# that I don't like (and yes, I use C# and C++ everyday as well); but it's part of the langauge and I accept it. I don't have to like it; I have to solve my business problems.

Are you saying the information that I provided was not useful? Or did you completely ignore everything I commented on since you deemed me as being "rude"?

AGAIN, I APPOLOGIZE FOR COMING ACROSS AS RUDE!!!!

If you have any specific questions about VB.NET; I will be more than happy to answer them. Just bounce over to GotDotNet and go into the VB.NET messageboard and I (and many others; including C# guys (Boss, Kardax, etc.)) will answer them as quickly as possible.

To Jeff "The Instigator" Julian; SHUT UP! <meant to be rude>. This was not a VB.NET vs C# thing... it was trying to clear up that VB.NET is not a "scripting" langauge and to provide some ways to solve his problems with non-strongly typed behavior (which, yes, VB.NET does by default).

Cory Smith