What is the difference between a script and a program?

Scripts and programs are two terms that are often used interchangeably but have distinct differences. A script is a set of instructions that are interpreted or executed by another program, while a program is a set of instructions that are directly executed by a computer's CPU.

Scripts are usually written in a scripting language, which is a high-level programming language that is interpreted, rather than compiled. Scripts are used to automate tasks, such as file manipulation, system administration, and web development. They are often used in web pages to provide interactivity, such as validating form input, and are executed by web browsers.

Programs, on the other hand, are written in a programming language, which is a low-level language that is compiled into machine code. Programs are used to create stand-alone applications, such as word processors, games, and operating systems. They are often much more complex than scripts and require a higher level of skill to create.