Embedded scripting engine in .Net app
- by Nate
I am looking to replace an old control being used for scripting an application. The control used to be called SAX Basic, but is now called WinWrap. It provides us with two primary functions.
1) It's a scripting engine (VB)
2) It has a GUI for developing and debugging scripts that get run in the hosting application.
The first feature it provides is actually pretty easy to replace. There are so many great methods of running just about any kind of code at runtime that it's almost a non-issue. Just about any language targeting the .Net runtime will work for us. We've looked at running C#, PowerShell, VB.Net, IronPython, etc. I've also taken a brief look at Lua and F#, but honestly the language isn't the biggest barrier here.
Now, for the hard part that seems to keep getting me stuck. We want a code editor, and debugger. Something simple, not unlike PowerShell's ISE would be fine. Just as long as a file could be created, saved, debugged and executed.
I'm currently looking into Visual Studio 2010 Shell (Isolated) and I'm also looking at the feasibility of embedding PowerShell ISE in my application. Are there any other editor's I could embed/use in my application? Purchasing a product is not out of the question. It comes down to a combination of ease of use, how well it meets our needs, and how simple deployment and licensing is for developers.
Thanks for the pointers
