July 15, 2009, 9:24 pm
Modern scripting languages combine the best features of compiled languages with the immediacy of interpreted languages. For instance, Python and Ruby have a rich object model, yet require no compilation. You can write and execute an entire program right from the command-line.
However, the rise of scripting languages cannot be attributed solely to instant gratification. Instead, much of the rapid adoption and ultimate success must be credited to extensibility. As Allison Randal points out in her feature story Why Parrot is Important, a new language cannot be popularized if it lacks modern features, including string functions, connectivity, regular expressions, and APIs to system calls. Extensions to the core language legitimize a language and bolster its prowess. For example, Python is popular among math geeks because a myriad of extensions are available to the trade…
