[aclug-L] TCL on Monday the 19th.

["James G." <jamesga@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi everyone...

I want to add a little more on what TCL is and why everyone should show
up on Monday 19th.

In short:

TCL is a general purpose scripting language (unix shell like).
It is like using a virtual machine since the same TCL program can run
unmodified on MS Windows, Macintosh and Linux/UNIX.
It is the perfect scripting Language for both the home user and computer
professional.

Learning TCL is MUCH easier then learning Perl, Python, C or Java.
It is much more powerful than the BASH shell (and can be used to replace
it for scripting purposes).

TCL is used in industry a lot to automate and monitor machines (Boeing,
IFR, LSI Logic).
It is also used to create web pages and is chosen over Perl in a lot of
instances.
There is a Netscape TCL plug-in.
It can be used as a front end to databases.
TCL is also used in B2B (Buisness to Buisness) integration software
systems.

Maintaining the software is cheaper since you do not have to be a
computer scientist to fix other peoples programs.
The time it takes to create computer applications is short.

The function of TCL can be  extended unlimitedly to do anything.
The TK extension allows you to create graphical programs with ease,
again, that will run unmodified on MS Windows, Macintosh and Linux/UNIX
(with a native look and feel).

TK can be used with Perl, but the interface is not as graceful as it is
with TCL.
Perl is harder to maintain than TCL after the program has been written.
They both execute at about the same speed.
TCL uses C Libraries to access its commands.
There is even a VisualTCL program available (free) that is like
VisualBasic.

The alternative in creating graphical programs on linux would be the
C/GTK or C++/Qt combination.
If you have the time, go for it....  if not, try the TCL/TK combination.

On Linux, if I had to pick only two languages to learn, they would be
TCL & C.
Both are VERY portable between different hardware and operating systems.

Use TCL for scripting, and C for a fast system language.
In fact, both can be used in the "same" application with TCL being the
glue that coordinates everything.
With these two, you can do ANYTHING.

On Monday, I will go over an introduction to TCL, explain the basic
concepts, and teach lesson one of learning TCL. I will also demonstrate
a free TCL tutoring program that will teach TCL.

TCL itself is free, it is on your hard drive, and instruction on how to
use it is on the internet.

Oh, and TCL is EASY, EASY, EASY!

James G.



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