"For the purposes of discussion, we'll divide languages into compiled languages and scripting languages. Compiled languages are the ones you use to make a user application, most of the time. Scripting languages are the languages you use to make some kind of "glue code," which runs various other programs in the right order, with the correct arguments.

"That is, compiled languages usually are used to developed very focused programs that try to do one thing well. Scripting languages are used when you need to coordinate the efforts of a bunch of different compiled programs. (This is a loose distinction, with many exceptions and gray areas.)

"Newcomers note: Scripting languages are easier to start with!"