statement that captures the richness and scope of today' python stillthe term "scriptingseems to have stuck to python like glueperhaps as contrast with larger programming effort required by some other tools for examplepeople often use the word "scriptinstead of "programto describe python code file in keeping with this traditionthis book uses the terms "scriptand "programinterchangeablywith slight preference for "scriptto describe simpler top-level file and "programto refer to more sophisticated multifile application because the term "scripting languagehas so many different meanings to different observersthoughsome would prefer that it not be applied to python at all in factpeople tend to make three very different associationssome of which are more useful than otherswhen they hear python labeled as suchshell tools sometimes when people hear python described as scripting languagethey think it means that python is tool for coding operating-system-oriented scripts such programs are often launched from console command lines and perform tasks such as processing text files and launching other programs python programs can and do serve such rolesbut this is just one of dozens of common python application domains it is not just better shell-script language control language to othersscripting refers to "gluelayer used to control and direct ( scriptother application components python programs are indeed often deployed in the context of larger applications for instanceto test hardware devicespython programs may call out to components that give low-level access to device similarlyprograms may run bits of python code at strategic points to support end-user product customization without the need to ship and recompile the entire system' source code python' simplicity makes it naturally flexible control tool technicallythoughthis is also just common python rolemany (perhaps mostpython programmers code standalone scripts without ever using or knowing about any integrated components it is not just control language ease of use probably the best way to think of the term "scripting languageis that it refers to simple language used for quickly coding tasks this is especially true when the term is applied to pythonwhich allows much faster program development than compiled languages like +its rapid development cycle fosters an exploratoryincremental mode of programming that has to be experienced to be appreciated don' be fooledthough--python is not just for simple tasks ratherit makes tasks simple by its ease of use and flexibility python has simple feature setbut it allows programs to scale up in sophistication as needed because of thatit is commonly used for quick tactical tasks and longer-term strategic development python & session