Chapter 9. Scripting

Scripting languages are the software engineering equivalent of duct tape. Their powerful and expressive syntax makes them ideal for all of those extraneous ad hoc tasks associated with software development. Batch jobs, small utility tools, automated build processes, and throw-away prototypes are all suitable candidates for the use of a scripting language.

This chapter examines the benefits of using scripting languages on enterprise projects and introduces Jython, a Java implementation of the popular scripting language Python, which is tightly integrated with the Java platform.

Why Use a Scripting Language?

A computer language is akin to a tool in the toolbox of any tradesman. Each tool is designed for a specific task, be it a ...

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