One thing I didn't see anyone else mention. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, in addition to using /help a lot, the way I learned to script was by looking at scripts that other people have made. This is how I've learned every computer language I now know, and I think this is how many people learn. Reading a tutorial is one thing, but actually having working code that you can play around with is very useful because you don't have to start from scratch; you can modify what someone has already done and try and figure out what their code does. Once you get good at read other people's scripts, then you can venture out and create your own. If scripts were in a non-readable format, then this learning method would be, for the most part, removed. If the sole purpose of the encoding/compiling is to make it so people can't see your script code, then this whole method of learning will be gone.