Re: Scripting vs. Programming language vs. 4GL?

tellab5!odgate!dbk@uunet.UU.NET writes:
>I'm embroiled in a debate with my colleagues over the difference between
>the term "programming language" and the term "scripting language". I think
>that a scripting language is a very limited, high-level language that is
>application-specific and intended to be for simple repetition and
>sequencing of the application's commands (i.e., a macro language is a
>scripting language). On the other hand, a programming language usually
>contains all of the requisite components that allow a sophisticated,
>Turing-equivalent, program to be built; components such as definable
>functions, variables, arrays, and the like.


Just to use your own definition the Tool Command Language (Tcl) has all
of these requirements; definable functions with parameters, variables,
arrays, etc. But Tcl "programs" are refered to as scritpts.


My personal definition is based on intereter versus compiled. Something
that is interpreted is a script something that is compiled is a program.
But there goes those darn exceptions; what about a C interpreter? Does
the program magically become a script?


I think that "script" implies something "simpler" than a "program".
Although nothing prevents a script from becoming a more complex program.


...Duane
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