# Active Scripting > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Active_Scripting > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Active_Scripting.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Scripting > Source revision: 1333190839 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Windows component-based scripting technology **Active Scripting** (formerly known as **ActiveX Scripting**) is the technology used in [Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) to implement component-based scripting support. It is based on [OLE Automation](/source/OLE_Automation) (part of [COM](/source/Component_Object_Model)) and allows installation of additional scripting engines in the form of COM modules. ## Uses and history The Active Scripting technologies were first released in 1996, with the release of the [Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0](/source/Internet_Explorer_3) (August 1996) and [Internet Information Services](/source/Internet_Information_Services) 3.0 products (December 1996). Usual applications of Active Scripting include [Active Server Pages](/source/Active_Server_Pages) (ASP) [server scripts](/source/Server-side_scripting), [Internet Explorer](/source/Internet_Explorer), and [Windows Script Host](/source/Windows_Script_Host) (WSH) scripts automating routine tasks, including use for login scripts, [Registry](/source/Windows_Registry) manipulation, and the like. Other administrative uses include Windows Management Instrumentation and Active Directory Service Interfaces. Active Scripting can also be used for general-purpose tasks such as database programming, text processing, rapid prototyping, and application macro or scripting programming. Some applications use Active Scripting as their primary automation method, while others do not have a macro facility but make the components available for use via the API; or one may opt to add a language and/or tool not available by default, like programming [Microsoft Excel](/source/Microsoft_Excel) in [Perl](/source/Perl) or [REXX](/source/REXX) rather than [Visual Basic for Applications](/source/Visual_Basic_for_Applications) (VBA) or transferring data from a [terminal emulator](/source/Terminal_emulator) to [word processor](/source/Word_processor) by way of a [spreadsheet](/source/Spreadsheet) when they have dissimilar macro tools or none at all. For many of the above uses, Active Scripting is an addition to Windows that is similar to the functionality of Unix shell scripts, as well as an incremental improvement upon batch files (command.com), Windows NT style shell scripts (cmd.exe) and, by way of [VBScript](/source/VBScript), the replacement for [QBasic](/source/QBasic), which was last available on the supplementary disc for Windows 95. The majority of the languages used for Active Scripting mentioned below are [glue languages](/source/Glue_language), with [Perl](/source/Perl) being the most commonly used third-party script engine. The interfaces to Active Scripting engines are public, so any developer can create applications that are programmable in Active Scripting languages as well as engines for additional languages. ## Implementations Active Scripting engines are available for several languages. Some of the most popular include:[1] - [ActivePerl](/source/ActivePerl) – [Perl](/source/Perl) - ActivePHP and PHPScript for [PHP](/source/PHP) - ActivePython – [Python](/source/Python_(programming_language)) - [Delphi](/source/Delphi_(software)) - [Fortran](/source/Fortran) - [Haskell](/source/Haskell_(programming_language)) - [Lua](/source/Lua_(programming_language)) - [REXX](/source/REXX) (multiple versions) - [Ruby](/source/Ruby_(programming_language)) - [Tcl](/source/Tcl_(programming_language)) - [VBScript](/source/VBScript) and [JScript](/source/JScript) for Windows versions after [Windows 95](/source/Windows_95), optional with [CE](/source/Windows_CE) - [Visual Basic for Applications](/source/Visual_Basic_for_Applications) (VBA) for Windows; and requires [Microsoft Office](/source/Microsoft_Office), or other software packages that are VBA-programmable. - [XLNT](/source/XLNT) - [XSLT](/source/XSLT) In Windows, [CScript.exe](/source/Windows_Script_Host#Usage) at the command line and WScript.exe running in the GUI are the main means of implementation of installed Active Script languages.[2] Clicking on an icon or running from the command line, a script, the Run dialogue, etc. will by default run a plain text file containing the code. A [Windows Script File](/source/Windows_Script_File) (.wsf) is an [XML](/source/XML) file that can contain more than one script in more than one language in addition to other elements, and are executed by the Windows Script Host.[3] Some software such as [SecureCRT](/source/SecureCRT) use the WSH functionality to allow automation by means of any installed scripting engine.[4] The script host, related components, and engines are able to be integrated into and called from Windows applications just like any other component. ## Retirement Active scripting is regarded complete, and no longer under active development by Microsoft. Furthermore, scripting engines will continue to be shipped with future releases of Microsoft Windows and IIS.[5] Originally, the .NET Framework had a scripting technology of its own and a separate scripting IDE called *Visual Studio for Applications* (VSA),[6][7] and the interfaces to the technology were also available via Active Scripting, allowing even .NET-unaware applications to be scripted using .NET languages. VSA was also meant to replace Visual Basic for Applications.[8] However, that entire technology was deprecated in version 2.0 of the .NET Framework,[8] leaving no clear upgrade path for applications desiring Active Scripting support (although "scripts" can be created in [C#](/source/C_Sharp_(programming_language)), VBScript, [Visual Basic .NET](/source/Visual_Basic_.NET), and other .NET languages, which can be [compiled](/source/Compiler) and executed at run-time via [libraries](/source/Library_(computing)) installed as part of the standard .NET runtime). In 2006, Microsoft introduced [Windows PowerShell](/source/Windows_PowerShell), which can expose applications via PowerShell cmdlets or PowerShell providers.[9] ## See also - [ActiveX](/source/ActiveX) - [Dynamic Language Runtime](/source/Dynamic_Language_Runtime) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["2. Choosing a Server-Side Scripting Language - Designing Active Server Pages \[Book\]"](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/designing-active-server/0596000448/ch02.html). *www.oreilly.com*. Retrieved 2024-02-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["\[Definition\] What Is Cscript.exe & Cscript vs Wscript?"](https://www.minitool.com/lib/cscript-exe.html). *MiniTool*. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2024-02-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Using Windows Script Files (.wsf)"](https://admhelp.microfocus.com/uft/en/all/VBScript/Content/html/c999e0fa-3986-41be-90a9-3f8ae3a38253.htm). *admhelp.microfocus.com*. Retrieved 2024-02-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["SecureCRT Scripting - FAQ"](https://www.vandyke.com/support/securecrt/scripting_faq.html). *vandyke.com*. Retrieved 2024-02-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Rumours of VBScript's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated*](http://blogs.msdn.com/ericlippert/archive/2004/04/09/110508.aspx), on Eric Lippert's Blog *Fabulous Adventures In Coding* on MSDN (April 09, 2004). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*Script Happens .NET*](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms974577.aspx), article by Andrew Clinick of Microsoft Corporation, in Scripting Clinic on MSDN (July 25, 2001). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*Microsoft Takes Wraps Off VSA Development Technology*](http://redmondmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=126) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071217062427/http://redmondmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=126) 2007-12-17 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), by Scott Bekker on Redmondmag.com (January 16, 2001). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-VSA_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-VSA_8-1) [*VSA scripting in .NET*](http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/vsascripting.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070211180713/http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/VsaScripting.asp) 2007-02-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), by Mark Belles on The Code Project. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-ars-opensource_9-0)** Bright, Peter (August 18, 2016). ["PowerShell is Microsoft's latest open source release, coming to Linux, OS X"](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/08/powershell-is-microsofts-latest-open-source-release-coming-to-linux-os-x/). *[Ars Technica](/source/Ars_Technica)*. [Condé Nast](/source/Cond%C3%A9_Nast). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200409020253/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/08/powershell-is-microsofts-latest-open-source-release-coming-to-linux-os-x/) from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020. ## External links - [Windows Script Interfaces](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fdee6589(v=vs.94).aspx) – Active Scripting documentation. - [Future of VBScript Language](http://blogs.msdn.com/ericlippert/archive/2004/04/09/110508.aspx) – Information about the future of Active Scripting technologies. v t e Microsoft Windows components APIs Architecture 9x NT Booting process Games Management tools App Installer Command Prompt Control Panel Device Manager DirectX Diagnostic Tool Disk Cleanup Drive Optimizer Driver Verifier Event Viewer IExpress Management Console Netsh Performance Monitor PowerShell Recovery Console Resource Monitor Settings Sysprep System Configuration System File Checker System Information System Policy Editor System Restore Task Manager Windows Backup Windows Error Reporting Windows Ink Windows Installer Windows Update Windows Insider WinRE WMI Apps 3D Viewer Calculator Calendar Camera Character Map City Art Search Clipchamp Clock Company Portal Copilot Edge Fax and Scan Feedback Hub Get Help Magnifier Mail Media Player 2022 Mesh Messaging Mobility Center Money Movies & TV Narrator News Notepad OneDrive OneNote Paint PC Manager People Phone Link Photos Quick Assist Remote Desktop Connection Snipping Tool Sound Recorder Speech Recognition Sticky Notes Store Terminal To Do Weather Whiteboard Windows App Xbox Shell Action Center Aero AutoPlay AutoRun ClearType Explorer Search IFilter Indexing Service Namespace Saved search Special folder Start menu Task View Taskbar Windows Spotlight Windows XP visual styles Services BITS CLFS Error Reporting Multimedia Class Scheduler Service Control Manager Shadow Copy Task Scheduler Wireless Zero Configuration File systems CDFS DFS exFAT FAT IFS NTFS EFS Hard link links Mount Point Reparse point TxF ReFS UDF Server Active Directory Active DRM Services DFS Replication Distributed Transaction Coordinator DNS Domains Folder redirection Group Policy Hyper-V IIS MSMQ Network Access Protection Print Services for UNIX PWS Remote Desktop Services Remote Differential Compression Remote Installation Services Roaming user profiles Server Core SharePoint System Resource Manager Windows Deployment Services Windows Media Services WSUS Architecture Boot Manager Console CSRSS Desktop Window Manager Enhanced Write Filter Graphics Device Interface Hardware Abstraction Layer I/O request packet Imaging Format Kernel Transaction Manager Library files Logical Disk Manager LSASS MinWin NTLDR Ntoskrnl.exe Object Manager Open XML Paper Specification Portable Executable DLL EXE Registry Resource Protection Security Account Manager Server Message Block Shadow Copy SMSS System Idle Process USER WHEA Winlogon WinUSB Security Security and Maintenance AppLocker BitLocker Credential Guard Data Execution Prevention Defender Family features Kernel Patch Protection Mandatory Integrity Control Protected Media Path User Account Control User Interface Privilege Isolation Windows Firewall Compatibility COMMAND.COM Windows Subsystem for Linux WoW64 API Active Scripting JScript VBScript WSH COM ActiveX ActiveX Document COM Structured storage DCOM OLE OLE Automation Transaction Server DirectX Native .NET Universal Windows Platform WinAPI Windows Mixed Reality Windows Runtime WinUSB Games Solitaire Collection Surf Discontinued Games 3D Pinball Chess Titans FreeCell Hearts Hold 'Em InkBall Purble Place Solitaire Spider Solitaire Tinker Apps ActiveMovie Address Book Anytime Upgrade Backup and Restore Cardfile CardSpace CD Player Chat Contacts Cortana Desktop Gadgets Diagnostics DriveSpace DVD Maker Easy Transfer Edge Legacy Fax Food & Drink Groove Music Health & Fitness Help and Support Center HyperTerminal Imaging Internet Explorer Journal Make Compatible Maps Media Center Meeting Space Messaging Messenger Mobile Device Center Movie Maker MSN Dial-Up NetMeeting NTBackup Outlook Express Paint 3D Pay Phone Companion Photo Gallery Photo Viewer Program Manager Skype Sports Start Steps Recorder Sysedit Syskey Tips Travel WinHelp WordPad Write Others Desktop Cleanup Wizard File Protection Games for Windows HPFS Interix Media Control Interface MS-DOS 7 Next-Generation Secure Computing Base POSIX subsystem ScanDisk Video for Windows Virtual DOS machine Windows on Windows Windows Services for UNIX Windows SideShow Windows System Assessment Tool Windows To Go WinFS Spun off to Microsoft Store DVD Player File Manager Hover! Mahjong Minesweeper Category List v t e Internet Explorer Versions Main 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Other Mobile for Mac for UNIX IEs4Linux Overview History Add-ons Box model Browser Helper Object (BHO) Extensions Removal Shells Technologies Accelerator ActiveX HTML HTA HTML Components favicon.ico HTML+TIME Index.dat JScript MHTML MSXML Smart tags Temporary Internet Files Vector Markup Language Web Slice WPAD XHR/XDomainRequest Software and engines Administration Kit Developer Tools Integrated Windows Authentication Tasman MSHTML Chakra Implementations Active Channel Active Desktop ActiveMovie Channel Definition Format (.cdf) Comic Chat/Chat 2.0 DirectX Media Internet Mail and News Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (MSJVM) MSN Explorer MSN for Mac OS X MSN Program Viewer NetMeeting NetShow Outlook Express Server Gated Cryptography (SGC) Spyglass Windows Address Book Windows Desktop Update Events First Browser War Second Browser War Download.ject Eolas v. Microsoft Sun v. Microsoft United States v. Microsoft Corp. People Tantek Çelik Thomas Reardon Dean Hachamovitch Scott Isaacs Inori Aizawa Category --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Active Scripting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Scripting) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Scripting?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.