# Why is AS3 considered a scripting language if it's compiled?

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/why-is-as3-considered-a-scripting-language-if-its-compiled/316866>\
**Category:** flash\
**Created:** [December 4, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/why-is-as3-considered-a-scripting-language-if-its-compiled/316866 "2010-12-04T18:11:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shaedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@Shaedo](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Shaedo)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/why-is-as3-considered-a-scripting-language-if-its-compiled/316866/1 "2010-12-04T18:11:19Z")

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[Wiki defines ActionScript, including AS3 as a scripting language. But [URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scripting\_language”]looking at what it defines 'application software](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActionScript#ActionScript_3.0)’, the alternative to action script as, AS3 should be classed as a application software and not a scripting language.

All input welcome but most appreciated explanations that will allow me to argue the point one way or another with people that are far more experienced coders than I am.

On the topic I am also curious, is AS3 syntax/code more like JavaScript or Java ?

thank you for your consideration,

S.