Introduction
All major computing platforms provide both system programming languages
such as C or Java and scripting languages such as Tcl. Each kind of language
has strengths and weaknesses that make it appropriate for some tasks but
not others. If you have an application to build, you can use the information
below to decided which kind of language makes the most sense for the application.
When to use a scripting language
If the application has the following attributes, then it probably makes
sense to use a scripting language for the application:
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The main task of the application is to integrate and coordinate a set of
existing components or applications.
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The application must manipulate a variety of different things.
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It must have a graphical user interface.
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The application does a lot of string processing.
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The functionality of the application will evolve rapidly over time.
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It must be easy to extend and customize the application in the field.
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The application must run on a diverse set of platforms.
When to use a system programming language
If, on the other hand, the application has the following attributes, then
it may make more sense to use a system programming language for the application:
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The application implements complex algorithms or data structures.
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Execution speed is critical (e.g. the application must frequently scan
datasets with tens of thousands of elements).
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The functions of the application are well-defined and slow to change.