Scripting languages are used to automate tasks and extend software functionality. They are interpreted rather than compiled, and are designed to automate repetitive tasks through commands to external programs. Examples include Perl, PHP, Python, and TCL. Scripting is faster than traditional programming when speed of development is prioritized over runtime efficiency. Scripts originated as files of commands executed sequentially in UNIX shells and the Macintosh HyperCard. Today, scripting allows faster application development and customization through facilities like client-side scripting for dynamic web pages. Common scripting technologies are CGI (Common Gateway Interface) and ISAPI (Internet Server Application Programming Interface).