Introduction
The rapid growth of the World Wide Web has turned the world into a global village (Boehm 3). Through the internet, web users are connected through one platform allowing for free flow of information. This is made possible through the creation of websites.
These websites are created with the use of software applications on the web where many users can access them as compared to the desktop scenario that is beneficial to one end user only. On such a platform resources are shared and can be accessed by all interested parties
A scripting language can be described as a programming language which allows for the control of one or numerous software applications. As opposed to programming languages, scripting languages allows for more interaction with the system.
Scripting language is modified by the end user and is interpreted from either a source or byte code while the applications they control are compiled on the native machine or computer code (Johnson 4).
Scripting language can also be referred to as an interpreted programming language. It controls the functions of a normal program giving it a sequence of tasks to carry out.
Scripting languages are small files of commands parsed during runtime and which are compiled in an internal byte code format. Scripting languages are always embedded in the applications they are meant to control.
Scripting language applications and functionalities tend to be dominated by the performance of the physical components (Jones 6). Because of the features outlined earlier in this paper, scripting languages support rapid development of web applications.
They execute numerous machine instructions. This promotes greater functionality which benefits the end user. There are several modern scripting languages used by programmers today. Common modern scripting languages include Java script, Perl and TCL.
The Web 2.0 Phenomenon
Web 2.0 can be said to be a revolutionary concept in internet functionality. Analysts conceptualize it as the new dawn of internet given that it allows internet users to participate actively in the development and creation of webpage contents.
It allows users to do whatever they want and enhances their control over web experience using sophisticated applications. It aims at personalizing the web (Lutz 7). Numerous web developers work on these Web 2.0 websites. Web 2.0 allows a website to connect to millions of end users and serve them efficiently.
Many popular websites such as Youtube.com apply Web 2.0 concepts to succeed. The phenomenon also allows internet users to take part in exciting and customized online experiences with ease. This is for example live chats, video conferencing and video uploads. Websites can now provide large volumes of data to the users.
In summary Web 2.0 is a web platform where software applications are implemented on the web as opposed to implementation on desktops (O’Hara & Gomberg 6). It is interesting to consider how the system can now support numerous applications at a go yet it is invisible to the human eye.
Role of Modern Scripting Languages in the Transformation of the Web
Scripting languages are normally modified by the user to initiate an application on the user’s interface machine, usually a computer. Web 2.0 gives the web users ultimate power to create new applications as well as perfecting the already existing ones. This implies that users can manipulate the content to be displayed in a particular website to suit their needs.
End users can customize their online experiences by initiating applications that suits them. More features can be added to the already existing ones in a website. Take for example most social sites such as Facebook.com. Such sites started with simple concepts that supported chats only. Today, numerous applications have been brought on board such as groups, tagging and development of new profiles (Ousterhout 5).
Modern scripting languages also allows for interactions with the system. Many individuals have been able to acquire web development skills as a result of this. Individuals are now able to create applications on already existing web sites as well as creating their own websites to suit their needs. This has over the years transformed the World Wide Web into an inexhaustible source of data.
Today millions of bytes of data are uploaded into the World Wide Web on a daily basis. Such resources aid in research and other studies.
Unlike in the past when websites were owned by large organizations that used them to display their profiles, today websites are more of a pool of knowledge touching on almost all aspects of our day to day lives as a result of the Web 2.0 (Wall et al. 9). It provides a wide range of materials ranging from research papers to books and journals.
Scripting languages consists of small files of commands compiled using an internal byte code format. This implies that they are easy to compile.
With the increasing popularity of the Web 2.0 concept, users are now able to interact more with the system. As a result they are able to create favorable and exciting applications on the web. Websites are modified to satisfy the needs of their users.
Modern scripting languages have also led to the decentralized control of Web resources. With the rise of Web 2.0 concept, internet users have greater control over the applications they prefer to use (Netscape 7).
The World Wide Web has been turned into a public platform. This means that the web is open to all interested parties with no extra charges except those levied by the Internet Service Providers.
Corporations and businesses are also able to conduct their transactions on the internet using more advanced scripting languages. The Web 2.0 concept has been used to create applications through which businesses can advertise and sell their merchandise over the internet.
Such web applications are created by interlinking website owners and financial institutions. Payments over the web are made to the businesses straight from their customers’ bank accounts through computerized systems (Jones 6). The goods can then be shipped to the customers through local and international courier service providers.
Through the development of the Web 2.0 concepts, various applications supported by different websites can now be successfully and effectively interlinked. Modern scripting languages have facilitated the linking of applications available on the internet (Rebecca 6).
Today, it is possible for the individual to upload data to a given website using a completely different one. This can be seen by analyzing the various social forums on the internet such as Facebook.com and Twitter. Users can manage their accounts on both of these sites by logging into one of them.
Web developers have also used modern scripting languages to transform applications that could only be used online so that they are applicable offline as well (Netscape 7). Web 2.0 concepts allow individuals to manage their user accounts offline.
This is for example in situations where the user is unable to access internet services for various reasons. It is now possible for the individual to upload data or even update their profile in a social network site using short message services (herein referred to as SMS).
Web users can register their mobile phone numbers through their accounts. This enables them to receive updates and information posted on their account and respond effectively without necessarily going online.
Conclusion
Web 2.0 can be said to be a new dawn in web development. In collaboration with modern scripting languages, more web transformations are inevitable.
Web developers strive to improve web service delivery. Customizing websites to suit the users’ preference has also led to the development of exciting applications. This leads to satisfaction on the part of the end user.
Modern scripting languages have also impacted on business operations of many companies around the world (Lutz 7). Clients can now purchase items online and also have them delivered to their preferred destinations. This has helped lower operation costs. This is in addition to saving on time that would be spent carrying out the transactions.
Web 2.0 can be said to be an opportunity rather than an idea (O’Hara 6). Individuals and corporations are provided with an opportunity to improve their performance through the introduction of new applications.
Modern scripting languages have also allowed the users to be more involved in molding and steering web transformation. The ultimate beneficiary of web 2.0 and modern scripting languages is the end user.
Works Cited
Boehm, Benson. Software Engineering Economics, New York: Prentice-Hall, 2001. Print.
Jones, Charles 2006, Programming Languages Table, Release 8.2. 30 March 2012. <https://spr.com/>.
Ousterhout, John 2004, Additional Information for Scripting White Paper. Web.
Wall, Thomas, Christiansen, Richard, and Schwartz, Luke. Programming Perl, New York: O’Reilly and Associates, 2006. Print.
Lutz, Mark. Programming Python, New York: O’Reilly, 2009. Print.
Netscape 2011, JavaScript in Navigator 3.0. Web.
O’Hara, Richard, and D. Gomberg. Modern Programming Using REXX, New York: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.
Johnson, Stephen. Objecting To Objects, London: CA House, 2010. Print.
Rebecca, Susan 2006, Websites Organizing and Sharing Particular Types of Content. 30 March 2012. <https://www.python.org/>.