Most scripting languages are dynamically typed. You can usually create new variables without predetermining the variable type, and you can reuse variables to store values of different types. Also, scripting languages tend to perform many type conversions automatically, for example, converting the number 10 to the text "10" as necessary. Although some scripting languages are compiled, most languages are interpreted. Script environments generally perform the script compilation and execution within the same process. Usually, these environments also parse and compile scripts into intermediate code when they are first executed.
These qualities of scripting languages help you write applications faster, execute commands repeatedly, and tie together components from different technologies. Special-purpose scripting languages can perform specific tasks more easily or more quickly than can more general-purpose languages. For example, many developers think that the Perl scripting language is a great way to process text and to generate reports. Other developers use the scripting languages available in bash or ksh command shells for both command and job control. Other scripting languages help to define user interfaces or web content conveniently. Developers might use the Java programming language and platform for any of these tasks, but scripting languages sometimes perform the job as well or better. This fact doesn't detract from the power and richness of the Java platform but simply acknowledges that scripting languages have an important place in the developer's toolbox.
Combining scripting languages with the Java platform provides developers an opportunity to leverage the abilities of both environments. You can continue to use scripting languages for all the reasons you already have, and you can use the powerful Java class library to extend the abilities of those languages. If you are a Java language programmer, you now have the ability to ship applications that your customers can significantly and dynamically customize. The synergy between the Java platform and scripting languages produces an environment in which developers and end users can collaborate to create more useful, dynamic applications.
For example, imagine a calculator with a set of core operations. Although the base calculator may have only four or five fundamental operations, you can provide programmable function keys that the user can customize. Customers can use whatever scripting language they prefer to add mortgage calculations, temperature conversions, or even more complex functionality to the calculator. Another example of this collaboration could be a word processor that allows customers to provide customized filters for generating various file formats. Examples throughout the remainder of this article will show how to use scripting to provide customizable Java applications for your customers.
These qualities of scripting languages help you write applications faster, execute commands repeatedly, and tie together components from different technologies. Special-purpose scripting languages can perform specific tasks more easily or more quickly than can more general-purpose languages. For example, many developers think that the Perl scripting language is a great way to process text and to generate reports. Other developers use the scripting languages available in bash or ksh command shells for both command and job control. Other scripting languages help to define user interfaces or web content conveniently. Developers might use the Java programming language and platform for any of these tasks, but scripting languages sometimes perform the job as well or better. This fact doesn't detract from the power and richness of the Java platform but simply acknowledges that scripting languages have an important place in the developer's toolbox.
Combining scripting languages with the Java platform provides developers an opportunity to leverage the abilities of both environments. You can continue to use scripting languages for all the reasons you already have, and you can use the powerful Java class library to extend the abilities of those languages. If you are a Java language programmer, you now have the ability to ship applications that your customers can significantly and dynamically customize. The synergy between the Java platform and scripting languages produces an environment in which developers and end users can collaborate to create more useful, dynamic applications.
For example, imagine a calculator with a set of core operations. Although the base calculator may have only four or five fundamental operations, you can provide programmable function keys that the user can customize. Customers can use whatever scripting language they prefer to add mortgage calculations, temperature conversions, or even more complex functionality to the calculator. Another example of this collaboration could be a word processor that allows customers to provide customized filters for generating various file formats. Examples throughout the remainder of this article will show how to use scripting to provide customizable Java applications for your customers.
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