Skripten

Skripten are written texts that serve as blueprints for performances, broadcasts, or automated processes. The plural form denotes multiple such texts. In German-speaking contexts, Skript is the singular form, and Skripten is commonly used for the collection of these texts.

Etymology and scope: Skript derives from the Latin scriptum and has entered German through historical usage in literature, theatre, and later computing. The term covers a range of written plans, from literary or stage texts to instructions used by machines.

In the performing arts and media, a script provides the dialogue, character indications, stage directions, and scene descriptions that guide production. It functions as a working document for writers, directors, actors, and crews from rehearsal to performance. In broadcasting and journalism, scripts organize spoken content, timing, and cues for voiceovers, segments, or news reads, and are often revised during production.

In computing, a script is a text file containing commands to be executed by an interpreter or runtime environment. Scripting languages such as Bash, Python, and JavaScript enable automation of repetitive tasks, configuration of software, or data processing. Scripts are typically interpreted rather than compiled, though this distinction varies by language and environment.

Other uses include Lehrskripte or study Skripten, which are educational lecture notes or study guides distributed to students. The term Skript thus encompasses both metaphorical scripts—plans for human action—and technical scripts used to control machines or software, with context clarifying the intended meaning.