New Training: Analyze a Basic Script

In this 7-video skill, CBT Nuggets trainer Ben Finkel looks at a variety of scripts in a few different languages, Bash PowerShell Ruby and Python, and shows you how to recognize and understand the different elemnts of those scripts. Watch this new CompTIA,Cyber Security training.

Watch the full course: CompTIA PenTest+

This training includes:

• 7 videos

• 58 minutes of training

You’ll learn these topics in this skill:

• Analyze a Basic Script

• Scripting Basics

• Assigning Values to Variables

• Operating on Variables with Operators

• Branching Code with Conditionals

• Reapeating Code with Loops

• Handling Errors in Code

What is the Difference Between Scripts and Programs?

The difference between scripts and programs is subtle but important. A program is any collection of programming code that runs on a computer. This code can perform a small task or it can create a complex application. In order for the computer to understand it, you first need to either compile or interpret it. When you compile it, a compiler converts it to machine language. When you interpret it, an interpreter loads and runs the code directly. While compiled code is generally faster, it is not as portable as interpreted code because it can only run on one type of computer architecture.

Scripts are a subset of programs. They are typically small sets of interpreted code that are used to perform discrete tasks, such as reading data from a file. So, a script is a program but a program isn't necessarily a script. But even complex applications may include scripts to complete certain tasks.