Script

A script is a list of programmatically-written instructions that can be carried out on command. Scripts can automate batch processes on a local computer or server, and are often used to generate dynamic webpages on a web server. Scripts are like small programs, written in a scripting language like VBScript, AppleScript, or PowerShell; unlike programs, they do not need to be compiled before running.

The commands in a script may be interpreted by an individual program or an interpreter. For example, a Photoshop script can only contain actions for Photoshop to apply to an image, while a Visual Basic or AppleScript file instead can send commands to multiple separate programs. Web servers run scripts written in ASP, JSP, and PHP to generate dynamic webpage content.

Writing a script in a scripting language is similar to writing a program in a programming language. Scripting languages and programming languages share many common elements and syntax. The commands in a scripting language are often simple and human-readable, allowing you to open and edit scripts in a plain text editor.

NOTE: Do not run unfamiliar or unknown scripts on your computer. Some scripting languages, like Visual Basic Script, can access and modify local files to potentially damage the contents of your computer and introduce malware.