.net scripting languages [closed]

Answer 1

F#, Lua.

But we often use C# either via Mono: How To Host Mono’s CSharp Compiler as a Service in .NET - For Runtime Code Evaluation/REPL or via implementing in our apps or via The C# Script Engine

Answer 2

We are using C# most of the time for scripting. Compilation and integration on the fly is possible inside own applications. Even as a replacement for pure scripting is feasible in a nice way, have a look at http://www.csscript.net/

After a while, I came across IronPython. If I had to redo the scripting in my app I would opt for it as it proves to have a greater flexibility at runtime. There is no need for tedious AppDomain handling among other aspects.

Answer 3

• Iron Js: https://github.com/fholm/IronJS/
• Boo: http://boo.codehaus.org/
• Lua.NET: http://www.lua.inf.puc-rio.br/post/9

If you need a custom DSL you can write your own using the DLR. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Language_Runtime

The most poular parser generator I know is antlr which can generate .NET parsers http://www.antlr.org/

For simple validation and config scripts you can use Spring.NET's expression language: http://www.springframework.net/doc-latest/reference/html/expressions.html

Answer 4

For those looking for .Net Standard/Core support, V8.Net now supports it. You can also use it within ASP.NET web apps if you ever wanted scripting on the back-end. I'm using it now in a VPL project (FlowScript) to add server-side scripting that also exposes select .Net types within the V8 engine.

Answer 5

We made a decision almost 2 years ago and the finalists were Python and Lua. At that time, IronPython got the nod because it was supported by MS. VBA quit getting licensed to new customers back in 2007, VSTA looks to be far cheaper, but at $50/seat (with an annual committment in the high-5 to low-6 digit range) it is still beyond what the boss will accept.

It looks like we need to re-evaluate our scripting language decision. The current application we're using this in, is one that licenses for mid 5-digits and automates several of our other software products (that sell for mid-3 to low-4 digits.

Probably the books that are most applicable for scripting inside applications are the books written for game devlopers, usually with titles like "AI for games." A lot of other companies that make money selling software have made the decision to chose lua or python for some decent reasons, and it might be helpful to read some details explaining why they went those routes.

Answer 6

IronPython, Miguel de Icaza of mono fame has taken over as project leader. http://tirania.org/blog/archive/2010/Oct-22.html