Linked list scripting engine

1. A method for creating a linked list for executing a plurality of scripts on a networking device, the method comprising:

receiving a set of nodes, each comprising a script defining functionality of the networking device, the set of nodes including at least one of a leaf node that is an standalone node with no child node and a nugget node that includes one or more child nodes, each child node being a nugget or leaf node;

generating a script by coupling the nodes in a nodal structure based on desired order of execution;

determining an execution path through a subset of nodes in the nodal structure at least in part based on one or more input values of defined input properties;

compiling, by a processor, the subset of nodes into a linked list of operations, the linked list following the execution path; and

executing the path of operations within the compiled linked list of operations.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a script defining functionality of the networking device sets at least one of: a pre-defined system keyword, a configuration variable, a status variable, and a session variable.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input value of the input property is at least one of: a number, a string, a Boolean value, and a null.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a node in the nodal tree structure comprises an operation to get or set a value of an output property.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nugget node in the nodal structure comprises a comparison operation of a variable to a particular value or a regular expression, the nugget node being executed in response to the comparison.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a child node in the nodal structure represents a next operation following a parent object of the child object, wherein the next operation is conditioned on a determined value of the parent object when executed in the linked list.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a predetermined depth limit is defined for levels of hierarchy in the nodal structure.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the script includes a main entry point and one or more sub entry points for executing.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more external scripts or files are called in a node.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a new node defining additional script functionality;

coupling the new node to one or more other nodes in the nodal structure based on desired order of execution of the new node; and

updating the linked list of operations following the execution path.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions for creating a linked list for executing a plurality of scripts on a networking device, the computer program instructions comprising instructions for:

receiving a set of nodes, each comprising a script defining functionality of the networking device, the set of nodes comprising at least one of a leaf node that is an standalone node with no child node and a nugget node that includes one or more child nodes, each child node being a nugget or leaf node;

generating a script by coupling the nodes in a nodal structure based on desired order of execution;

determining an execution path through a subset of nodes in the nodal structure at least in part based on one or more input values of defined input properties;

compiling, by a processor, the subset of nodes into a linked list of operations, the linked list following the execution path; and

executing the path of operations within the compiled linked list of operations.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein a script defining functionality of the networking device sets at least one of: a pre-defined system keyword, a configuration variable, a status variable, and a session variable.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the input value of the input property is at least one of: a number, a string, a Boolean value, and a null.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein a node in the nodal tree structure comprises an operation to get or set a value of an output property.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the nugget node in the nodal structure comprises a comparison operation of a variable to a particular value or a regular expression, the nugget node being executed in response to the comparison.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein a child node in the nodal structure represents a next operation following a parent object of the child object, wherein the next operation is conditioned on a determined value of the parent object when executed in the linked list.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein a predetermined depth limit is defined for levels of hierarchy in the nodal structure.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the script includes a main entry point and one or more sub entry points for executing.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein one or more external scripts or files are called in a node.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , further comprising:

receiving a new node defining additional script functionality;

coupling the new node to one or more other nodes in the nodal structure based on desired order of execution of the new node; and

updating the linked list of operations following the execution path.