What is the primary purpose of server-side scripting languages?

The primary purpose of server-side scripting languages is to manage data processing on the server before sending it to clients. This involves executing scripts on the server that can generate dynamic content based on user interactions or other input.

For instance, when a user submits a form on a web application, the server-side script processes the data, interacts with a database if necessary, performs any needed calculations or logic, and then sends the appropriate HTML content back to the user's browser. This allows for a more interactive experience, as server-side scripts can produce different outputs depending on user inputs, rather than serving only static pages that do not change.

By handling these processes on the server, server-side scripting languages streamline data management and contribute to dynamic web applications that enhance functionality, security, and user experience. This capability is fundamental to contemporary web development, where interactive and personalized content is expected by users.