Interscript is different because it embodies a complete and fully functional programming language, namely Python. An Interscript source file consists of three, not two, kinds of source: the target source code, documentation, and executable Python script. Because of this feature, the user source can extend the tool in arbitrary ways at 'run time' (without modifying the original tool).
In addition, the basic Interscript tool has an advanced object based design, including pluggable drivers for data sources and sinks, including automatic file downloading, tanglers for various programming languages including C, C++, Python, generic script , and raw data, and plugable weavers for various typesetting systems including HTML, TeX, Postscript, and plain text.
Interscript includes functionality designed to support building, testing, installation, and verion control of software. In particular, the standard system includes functionality designed to replace 'make'.