A scripting language is a type of programming language that is used to manipulate, customize, and automate the facilities of an existing system. Scripting languages are usually interpreted at runtime rather than compiled. They are designed for specific runtime environments to provide additional functions, integrate complex systems, and communicate with other programming languages. Scripting languages can be a general-purpose language or a domain-specific language for a particular environment. They are usually easier to learn and faster to code in than more structured and compiled languages such as C and C++.

Some key features of scripting languages include:

• Interpretation: Scripting languages are interpreted at runtime rather than compiled.
• Primitives: A scripting languages primitives are usually elementary tasks or API calls, and the scripting language allows them to be combined into more complex programs.
• Automation: Environments that can be automated through scripting include application software, text editors, web pages, operating system shells, embedded systems, and computer games.
• Integration: Scripting languages are designed for specific runtime environments to provide additional functions, integrate complex systems, and communicate with other programming languages.

Scripting languages may be designed for use by end-users of a program or may be only for internal use by developers, so they can write portions of the program in the scripting language. Scripting languages are often used in web applications, system administration, and game development. Some examples of scripting languages include JavaScript, Perl, Python, and Ruby.