scriptingheavy

Scriptingheavy is a colloquial term used to describe software projects, environments, or platforms in which scripting languages play a dominant role in implementing core functionality, configuration, and extensibility. It emphasizes the prominence of interpreted or dynamic languages over compiled code in the system's design.

Typical characteristics include a modular architecture that exposes scripting interfaces, a preference for rapid development cycles, and extensive use of scripts for business rules, data processing, or automation. Languages commonly associated with scriptingheavy contexts include Python, JavaScript, Lua, and shell scripting, though the term is not language-specific.

Pros include faster iteration, easier customization by non-developers, and a flexible plugin or macro system. Cons can include performance overhead, startup costs, security risks from running untrusted scripts, and challenges in static analysis and maintainability.

Contexts often described as scriptingheavy include application platforms with embedded scripting engines, game engines that support modding and behavior scripting, data processing pipelines driven by scripts, and build or deployment systems that rely on declarative or procedural scripts.

See also: scripting language, plugin architecture, automation, domain-specific language.