Hi. Is there some default Windows scripting language that comes pre-installed on XP and Vista (Similar to how OS X comes with Python and/or Linux comes with Perl)?
I am aware of Batch scripting but I am hoping for something a little more robust. Thanks
note - I am on a Linux box so if you guys could give your 2 cents on the Windows scripting languages, it would be appreciated, thanks.
part deux - even though ebgreen hates me i accepted his answer because he gave me his 2 cents.
Windows XP and Vista have VBScript and jscript engines installed by default. Windows 7 will also have Powershell installed.
As for my 2 cents, VBScript and jscript are both very mature technologies that have plenty of resources available. Neither of them give you a console if you are looking for that.
Powershell is newer and much much more powerful. It also has the advantage of having a console as well.
Windows Scripting Host, invoked through Cscript.exe supports VBScript and JScript. Windows PowerShell is another scripting tool, but it's a separate download.
XP and Vista come out of the box with VBScript and JScript support. There's a primer available at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hbxc2t98.aspx. Vista can optionally have installed PowerShell which will also ship by default with Windows 7. A powershell primer can be found at: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc196356.aspx