SCRIPTING

LANGUAGE
PERL
  Introduction to Perl and scripting
 Scripts and programs
 Origin of Scripting
 Scripting Today
Agenda  Characteristics of Scripting Language
 Uses for Scripting Language
 Web Scripting
 The universe of scripting language
Introduction to Perl
 Perl (Practical Extraction and Reporting Language) is a high-
level, interpreted, and dynamic programming language
known for its flexibility in text processing, scripting, and
system administration.

 It was developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose

programming language.
Key Features of Perl
 Strong Text Processing Capabilities – Ideal for working with regular
expressions, parsing files, and automating tasks.
 Cross-Platform Compatibility – Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and more.
 Interpreted Language – No need for compilation; executes scripts directly.
 Dynamic Typing – No need to declare variable types explicitly.
 Rich Library Support – Comprehensive CPAN (Comprehensive Perl Archive
Network) provides thousands of modules.
 Embeddable and Extensible – Can integrate with other languages like C, C++,
Python.
 Used in Web Development – Supports CGI scripting and database interaction
with DBI.
Applications of Perl
 Text Processing & File Handling – Automating reports, extracting data,
and log analysis.
 System Administration – Managing users, files, and processes on
Unix/Linux.
 Web Development – Used in CGI scripting and backend programming.
 Database Interaction – Works with MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite using DBI.
 Bioinformatics – Used in DNA sequence analysis and computational
biology.
 Network Programming – Writing socket programs, web crawlers, and
automation scripts.
Introduction to Scripting
 Scripting is a type of programming that automates repetitive
tasks and controls system behavior using script files rather
than compiling code into standalone executables.

 Scripts are often interpreted rather than compiled, making them

easy to modify and execute without the need for a compilation
step.
Key Features of Scripting
🔹 Interpreted Execution – Scripts run directly using an interpreter
(e.g., Python, Bash, Perl).
🔹 Automation – Used to automate tasks like file manipulation,
system administration, and software deployment.
🔹 Dynamic Typing – No need for explicit variable declarations in
most scripting languages.
🔹 Ease of Use – Generally simpler and more concise than traditional
programming languages.
🔹 Rapid Development – Ideal for quick prototyping and automating
complex workflows.
Types of Scripting Languages
 Scripting languages are categorized based on their use cases:
 Shell Scripting (Command Line Automation)

 Used for automating system tasks in Unix/Linux.

 Examples: Bash, PowerShell, Zsh
 General-Purpose Scripting Languages

 Used for application development, automation, and text

processing.
 Examples: Python, Perl, Ruby
 Web Scripting (Client-Side & Server-Side)

 Used for web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript for

frontend; PHP, Node.js for backend).

 Examples: JavaScript, PHP, ASP.NET

 Database Scripting

 Automates database queries and operations.

 Examples: SQL, PL/SQL, MongoDB scripts

 Embedded Scripting

 Used inside applications for extending functionality.

 Examples: Lua (game engines), Tcl (networking), VBA

(Excel macros)

 Scripting is an essential skill for developers, system

administrators, and data analysts, enabling them to
automate workflows and streamline operations.
Scripts and Programs
 Both scripts and programs are used to write code that
performs tasks, but they differ in execution, complexity, and
purpose.
Script
 A script is a small piece of code that is typically interpreted and
used for automation, task execution, and rapid prototyping.
Characteristics of Scripts:
 Interpreted Execution – Runs through an interpreter (e.g., Python,
Bash, JavaScript).
 Short and Simple – Often consists of a few lines of code.
 Automation Focused – Used to automate repetitive tasks like file
handling, system administration, or web scraping.
 No Compilation Required – Runs directly from source code without
compiling into machine code.
 Dynamically Typed – No need for explicit type declarations in most
scripting languages.
Example (Python Script for
File Automation)

 This script automates file handling without requiring compilation.

Program
 A program is a more complex software application that is often
compiled and designed for long-term execution.
Characteristics of Programs:
 Compiled Execution – Typically converted into machine code
before execution (e.g., C, Java).
 Complex and Large Scale – Can contain multiple modules and
files.
 Standalone Applications – Can function as software like web
browsers, games, and business applications.
 Explicit Type Declarations – Often requires variables to be
explicitly defined.
Example (C++ Program for a
Calculator)

 This program requires compilation before execution and is

structured for a larger, more scalable task.
Key Differences Between Scripts
and Programs
Use a Script when:
 You need quick automation (e.g., file operations, backups).
 Writing short, temporary code snippets.
 No need for high performance or optimization.

Use a Program when:

 You are building a full application (e.g., a game, web browser, or
enterprise software).
 Performance and efficiency are critical.
 The codebase is large and requires structured organization.
Origin of Scripting
 Scripting has its roots in early computing systems, evolving as
a way to automate tasks and simplify interactions with
machines.

 It emerged as an alternative to traditional programming,

offering a way to execute commands quickly and efficiently.
Early Beginnings (1950s-1960s)
 In the early days of computing, users interacted with
machines using manual input through punch cards and
command-line interfaces.
 Batch processing systems, such as IBM's Job Control
Language (JCL), allowed users to automate a series of
commands.
 Shell scripting started with early Unix systems, using
simple command sequences to automate tasks.
The Rise of Unix and Shell Scripting
(1970s-1980s)
 Unix (developed in 1969 by AT&T Bell Labs) introduced the shell
(sh), which allowed users to write shell scripts for automating tasks.
 The Bourne Shell (sh) (1979) and later C Shell (csh) introduced
more advanced scripting capabilities.
 The AWK language (1977) was created for text processing and is
still widely used today.
 Perl (1987) became a powerful scripting language for text
manipulation and system administration.
The Expansion of Scripting in
the 1990s
 The rise of the internet led to scripting languages for web development:
 JavaScript (1995) enabled client-side interactivity in web browsers.

 PHP (1995) became a dominant language for server-side scripting.

 Python (1991) gained popularity for general-purpose scripting and
automation.

 Batch scripting (Windows) and PowerShell (2006) emerged for Windows

automation.
Modern Scripting (2000s-
Present)
 Scripting is now integral to automation, DevOps, and data

science.
 Bash, Python, PowerShell, and JavaScript remain
dominant scripting languages.
 Automation tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Docker use
scripts to manage infrastructure.
 AI and Data Science use scripting languages like Python
and R for data analysis and machine learning.
Scripting Today
 Scripting has become an essential tool in modern computing,
powering everything from automation and web
development to data science and artificial intelligence.
With the rise of cloud computing, DevOps, and AI, scripting
is more relevant than ever.
Uses of Scripting Language
 Automation & System Administration
 Shell scripting (Bash, PowerShell, Batch) is widely used to
automate tasks such as system updates, backups, and server
management.

 Tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Terraform use scripting

to automate infrastructure deployment.
Web Development & Backend Scripting

• JavaScript dominates web development for frontend scripting.

• Node.js (JavaScript) and PHP, Python, Ruby handle backend

scripting for dynamic websites.

• Frameworks like Django (Python), Express.js (Node), and

Flask use scripting for web applications.
Data Science, AI & Machine Learning

• Python is the leading scripting language for data analysis, AI,

and ML (with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow).

• R is used for statistical computing and data visualization.

• MATLAB scripting is used in engineering and scientific

research.
Cloud Computing & DevOps

• PowerShell, Bash, and Python are used for cloud

automation.

• Kubernetes and Docker scripts help deploy and manage

containerized applications.

• CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions) use scripting for

automated testing and deployment.
Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking

• Python, Bash, and PowerShell are used for penetration

testing and security automation.

• Tools like Metasploit, Nmap, and Wireshark rely on scripting.

Internet of Things (IoT)

• MicroPython, JavaScript (Node.js), and Lua are used for

scripting IoT devices.

• Scripting enables real-time data processing and automation in

smart devices.
Popular Scripting Languages
Today
The Future of Scripting
 Low-Code & No-Code Tools – Scripts are being
integrated into platforms like Zapier, Power Automate, and
Google Apps Script for business automation.
 AI-Assisted Scripting – AI tools like GitHub Copilot and
ChatGPT help write and optimize scripts.
 Serverless Computing – Cloud platforms (AWS Lambda,
Google Cloud Functions) use scripting to handle on-
demand execution.
Web Scripting
 Web scripting is the process of using scripting languages to
create dynamic, interactive, and automated web content.

 It enables websites to process user input, generate content

dynamically, and interact with databases.
Types of Web Scripting
Client-Side Scripting

• Runs in the user’s browser (frontend).

• Improves user experience by making pages interactive

without needing to reload.

• Common languages:
✅ JavaScript (Primary client-side language)
✅ HTML & CSS (Not scripting but used with JavaScript)
✅ TypeScript (A superset of JavaScript)
Server-Side Scripting

• Runs on the web server (backend).

• Processes database queries, authentication, and dynamic

content generation.

• Common languages:
✅ PHP (Popular for WordPress and Laravel)
✅ Node.js (JavaScript runtime for backend development)
✅ Python (Django, Flask for web apps)
✅ Ruby (Ruby on Rails for web applications)
Full-Stack Web Scripting

• Uses both client-side and server-side scripting for

complete web application development.

• Example: MERN Stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React,

Node.js).
Uses of Web Scripting

✅ Interactive Webpages – Animations, dropdown menus, real-time

updates.
✅ Form Validation – Ensuring correct user input before submission.
✅ Database Interaction – Fetching and storing data in MySQL,
MongoDB, etc.
✅ E-commerce – Shopping carts, payment gateways, user
authentication.
✅ Social Media Apps – Dynamic content updates (likes, comments,
notifications).
✅ Chatbots & AI Integration – Automating user interactions with NLP.
Web Scripting Frameworks
The Universe of Scripting
Languages
 Scripting languages form an essential part of modern
computing, driving automation, web development, data
science, cybersecurity, DevOps, game development, and
AI.

 These languages are typically interpreted rather than

compiled, making them more flexible and easier to use for rapid
development.
Thank
you