Various embodiments of a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for processing an extensible markup language (XML) script using an XML based scripting language are provided. The XML script is parsed. The XML script comprises element nodes. Each element node comprises a component name. A first element node comprises a first component name referencing a first user-defined component. An argument is passed to the first user-defined component. The argument is evaluated when an element node associated with the first user-defined component comprises an evaluate-component name that explicitly specifies that the argument be evaluated.