AngelScript is a cross-platform scripting language that allows users to write scripts that work on any computer platform. It uses a virtual machine to run the script and exchange data with other programs. AngelScript is written in C/C++ syntax and is freely available under a zlib license. It is used by game publishers to release games simultaneously on different platforms.
AngelScript, also known as Angelcode Scripting Language, was originally developed by Andreas Jönsson as a cross-platform script library. In other words, it allows you to write a script, a computer program, that will work the same regardless of which computer platform you use. It was released under a zlib license which means that it is freely available to users.
AngelScript works by creating and running a virtual machine (VM) inside your computer, with the script then running on the VM. This means that an AngelScript script will work the same on any computer platform: Windows, Macintosh, Linux or whatever. The VM also allows the script to exchange data with other programs running on the computer. This means that AngelScript can be used to extend or add functionality to other programs that allow you to add extensions. An example would be an AngelScript scientific calculator script to evaluate a math expression which, in turn, calls a graph script which will display a graph of that math expression.
AngelScript scripts are written using a C/C++ syntax, allowing anyone with some experience using those languages to easily write a script. The AngelScript VM itself takes care of the details. This includes things like memory management and pointers, which can cause problems when using C/C++.
It is designed to work across platforms, so AngelScript is not available as an application to download, install and run, unless a third party has made it available as such. Normally, the user has to download the source code, written in C/C++, and then compile it for a particular computer platform. As of December 2010, available AngelScript platforms included Win32®, Linux®, FreeBSD®, Mac OS X®, Dreamcast, PlayStation® Portable, PlayStation® 2, PlayStation® 3, Xbox® and Xbox 360®. Work was underway on VMs for Windows® Mobile, Nintendo® DS and Android platforms, but there was no information on when VMs would be available on these platforms.
The ability to make a program work the same on different platforms makes AngelScript attractive to software publishers. Some game publishers are releasing games that have been written using AngelScript and include the AngelScript virtual machine for the particular platform. This allows them to release the same game simultaneously on different platforms. AngelScript development and VM improvements for various platforms are ongoing. An internet search can help you find the latest stable VM for your platform.
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