Server-side scripting

Server-side scripting refers to the use of a server to process data sent by a client and to prepare data to send back to a client, specificaly relating to dynamically modifying web traffic.

For example, most services which offer a log-in feature do so via backend scripting. The client will send its login credentials to the server, who will then check them. If they are valid, the server returns a session token to the client, which can then be used to access pivileged resources via the web server.

While a "scripting language" is a very specific type of language, which is always parsed and compiled as it is needed or used, many people incorrectly use this term to refer to any language (such as Java or C#) used on a web server for dynamic content.