Application Scripting

One of the most common uses of the DLR and dynamic languages is in the area of application scripting. Application scripting allows users to control an application’s behavior by writing scripts. For example, users might write scripts to automate routine tasks. They might use scripts to add new features or to customize existing functionalities. They might write scripts that integrate an application with other applications. The usage scenarios are many and the benefits are real. In this chapter, we will look at this important use of the DLR and dynamic languages. Specifically, we will develop a fun application that has balls bouncing around, and we will open up part of the application for users to customize. The way we open up the application is by exposing its object model for users to script. Users or third-party vendors can write custom IronPython code to script the object model. Our application will use the DLR Hosting API to load and run those custom IronPython scripts.