We have an IDE for machine automation that allows its users to develop solutions by connecting objects and components visually. They can also write “plugins” using C++ and C#. The IDE is written using .NET. Its users often are not founded in traditional software development and programming but more in the direction of technical/electrical and automation engineers but they all need to know the basics of C# and C++ programming.
If we were to introduce a macro/scripting language for the IDE itself including an interactive console (designtime only) which language should we chose? It should be a dynamic scripting language that both has a good foundation in .NET and the DLR in that it is future proof and has good support and a decent momentum behind it but also would not have such a steep learning curve for our special developers. Ideally it should be completely intuitive to use if you know C++ and/or C# – even if you are not a rock-solid software developer.
UPDATE:
The option that currently is most attractive to us, is to use dynamically compiled C#. Our users could continue to use C#. It even seems to be possible to build an interactive console, as CSI proves. What do you think of this option? Are there any potential pitfalls/downsides that we (due to our lack of experience with scripting in general) just are not aware of yet?
I think we will either roll our own c# based scripting environment, sort of like a much simplified version of the very cool CS-Script or we would integrate CS-Script right away.