Hi- Thank you for that explanation. Seems like the line between programming and scripting languages is getting blurred. Are scripting languages becoming as powerful as a programming language? Or do they just bring the best out of the programming language they are written in. If PHP and Python are written in C and C++, then why can't they make PHP and Python to be more like a CMS and useable by non-programmers? In summary, if I have this correct, a scripting language is actually written in a programming language and is just a way of accessing and using the given programming language. When I use PHP and Python, I am actually using C and C++, just in a unique dialect? That is assuming Python and PHP are written in C or C++. So somehow, PHP and Python were supposed to make C or what ever programming language easier to use? Is this accurate? Sorry for the dumb questions. H.R. Soltani -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Christopher Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 6:24 PM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Good resource for beginning programmers This is one of my pet peeves. A programming language is a language that is, in the majority of the cases, compiled to native machine code -and- used for application development (i.e. C, C++, D) A scripting language is a language that is, in the majority of the cases, interpreted -and- used to control applications, and sometimes application development in general (i.e. Python, PHP, Ruby, AutoIT, etc.) Java was not a true programming language until recently when it decided to compile its bytecode on-the-fly. C# has always been a programming language because it has always compiled its MSIL on-the-fly. PHP and Python are both written in C and are both interpreted. (PHP might be written in C++.) I refuse to call a non-compiled language a programming language, regardless of the language. So, here is a simple test to see what is a programming language and what is a scripting language. 1. Can you write a full application in the language? If yes, then is the language compiled? If yes, then it is a programming language. 2. Can you write a full application in the language? If yes, then is the language compiled? If no, then it is a scripting language. 3. Can you write a full application in the language? If no, then it is a scripting language. On 11/17/2010 2:24 PM, Alex Midence wrote: > I am not at a stage in my learning where I can do well at explaining > this so, I have provided some links for you to explore: > > Scripting language > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scripting_language > > Programming language: > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language > > Be warned: This will create more questions for you. Have fun!!! > > Alex M > > > > > On 11/17/10, Client Services<operations@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> Hi- >> What is the difference between a scripting language and a programming >> language? >> So if PHP and Python are scripting languages, what programming language are >> they written in? >> And why are they called scripting languages? >> >> H.R. Soltani >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alex Midence >> Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 3:52 PM >> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: Re: Good resource for beginning programmers >> >> You've got scripting languages and programming languages there. >> Javascript is client side scripting. Websites run scripts on the >> visitor's machine to dynamically change themselves according to >> stimuli. Php is a scripting language that does dynamic webpage >> changing among other things from the server side. It is used in >> conjunction with database solutions like my sql and the like. Java >> and C are both programming languages. Java is a high level >> object-oriented language that runs on a virtual machine. It is used >> to create applets and web apps for all sorts of functions. Java is >> also used to create desktop applicaitons like, for instance, Eclipse, >> Open Office, and things of that nature. C is a low-level procedural >> programming language that is used for desktop aplications and >> low-level programming such as drivers, utilities and the like. >> Certain platforms are also written in C like, for instance, Windoes is >> in C. I believe Gnome was also written in C. I went into this detail >> because your post indicated that you thought these were all web >> development languages and they are not. Python is a scripting >> language that can do a lot of the same things programming languages >> can do and has a reputation for being easy to learn and fostering >> rapid development. An applications that php could not create, IMHO is >> a screen reader. Python was used to create two of them. >> >> Hope that helps, >> Alex M >> >> >> On 11/17/10, Client Services<operations@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>> Hi everybody- >>> I am trying to decide where to start as far as learning programming. >>> I decided I would focus on 1. PHP, 2. JavaScript, 3. Java, 4. C >>> I figured these are being used the most in web development and custom >>> applications. So, where does Python come in? How would you compare Python >>> with Java, PHP, and C?? >>> Can anybody give me an example of what cannot be developed in PHP which >> can >>> be developed in Python? >>> Or how about Java vs Python if PHP is to lowly? I have just heard PHP has >>> limitations. >>> >>> >>> >>> H.R. 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