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Chapter 8: What is Scripting?
A script is a program that is embedded in a Web page. It is kept separate from the page's HTML by special tags, as we'll see soon. The script code is executed when certain events occur, such as the page loading into a browser or the user clicking an element on the page. A script can perform a wide variety of actions, such as mathematical calculations, processing text data, displaying messages to the user, controlling the browser, and changing the appearance of the page. There are also some things scripts cannot do, such as read files on your hard drive or access your systems memory. These limitations are intentional, and were put in place for security reasons. Without access to files and memory, it is essentially impossible for a script to cause any mischief on the user's computer. People would be very hesitant to visit Web pages with scripts if they faced the possibility of malicious or unintentional damage to their system and files. The scripts that are the subject of this chapter are called client-side scripts because they are downloaded as part of a Web page and executed on the client's computer. You'll also hear about server-side scripts that are executed remotely on the Web server, but that's a different topic.
Essentially every Web browser in use today includes support for scripts. By far the most popular scripting language is JavaScript, and that's what I'll be using in this chapter. Another commonly used scripting language is VBScript, a Microsoft creation that is intended to have certain syntax similarities with the Visual Basic programming language. If you already know Visual Basic, you might find VBScript a bit easier to learn. For most people, however, I recommend JavaScript.
A scripting language would not be able to do much on its own. It must work in conjunction with the Document Object Model, our next topic.
The Short Story
CoffeeCup Software started in a real Coffee House 1996. Our first program was the HTML Editor. Over the last 10 years we have created a lot more Web Design & Flash Software. Our philosophy has always been to create software and services so you can make better Websites. We are dedicated to helping you by offering extraordinary support so we can succeed together. Consider us a partner and a friend, because we really are about Fresh Software and Warm People.
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