Tcl Tutorial
The Tcl tutorial offers a detailed overview of programming concepts, including variable assignment, loops, command creation, data structures, string manipulation, regular expressions, file access, and subprocess invocation for all skill levels.
Read original article
This Tcl tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of the Tcl programming language, covering fundamental concepts and advanced features. It begins with an introduction to running Tcl and producing simple text output. The tutorial explains variable assignment, evaluation, and substitutions using different grouping methods. It also addresses mathematical operations, numeric and textual comparisons, and looping constructs such as while and for loops. The tutorial introduces the creation of new commands with the `proc` command, variable scope, and Tcl data structures, including lists and associative arrays. It covers string manipulation, regular expressions, file access, and subprocess invocation. Additionally, it discusses modularization through libraries and namespaces, command construction, debugging techniques, and channel I/O operations. The tutorial concludes with topics on time management and child interpreters, providing a well-rounded foundation for both beginners and experienced programmers looking to enhance their Tcl skills.
- The tutorial covers basic to advanced Tcl programming concepts.
- Key topics include variable assignment, loops, and command creation.
- It explains data structures like lists and associative arrays.
- String manipulation and regular expressions are thoroughly discussed.
- The tutorial includes file access and subprocess invocation techniques.
Related
OCaml for the Skeptical (2006)
OCaml tutorial covers installation, syntax, data types, functions, control structures, error handling, and more. It explains type inference, pattern matching, and compiling applications. Updated on 17 June 2006.
A brief interview with Tcl creator John Ousterhout (2023)
John Ousterhout, creator of Tcl, highlighted its embeddable nature and "everything is a string" philosophy. He reflected on missed opportunities, including Tcl as a browser language. Ousterhout emphasized the importance of practical utility in widely adopted languages like Tcl and Python.
Why You Should Not Use Tcl (1994)
Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts. Richard Stallman advises against using Tcl for serious programming due to limitations. Users debate Tcl's suitability, citing its extendability and similarities to Lisp.
Why I Like Tcl
The author appreciates Tcl for its elegant syntax, ease of C integration, and event-driven model, but notes its declining popularity, weak type system, and lack of modern libraries.
Tcl the Misunderstood (Antirez)
Tcl is a misunderstood programming language offering significant flexibility and expressiveness, treating everything as a command, supporting dynamic typing, and providing powerful macro-like capabilities through eval and uplevel commands.
15 commentsThat is to say, its packages are Tcl.
I haven't used it in many years, as is has been largely replaced by Homebrew, which uses Ruby.
(I once maintained a MacOS port of a good-sized scientific analysis package. Hundreds of MacPorts packages, I have debugged.)
https://www.tcl-lang.com/software/tcltk/9.0.html
Any word on a nice binary release of it?
I use TCL often (forced to) since it's Cloverleaf Integration Engine's official scripting language and it works very well, but it is different from other languages in that its syntax is not modern, though, it's not difficult to learn if you really need to.
It's an older language that's fallen out of favor mostly for other scripting languages (Javascript, Python, etc) and understandably so. I'm by no means an TCL, but do consider myself an expert when using it with Cloverleaf.
Thanks!
What I would recommend right off the bat is installing the handy tool `rlwrap` and starting `tclsh` using the command `rlwrap tclsh`. This wraps it with readline which imo is a better experience (especially if one is used to the readline keyboard shortcuts).
a + b
in Tcl its
expr $a + $b
thats my only beef.
Related
OCaml for the Skeptical (2006)
OCaml tutorial covers installation, syntax, data types, functions, control structures, error handling, and more. It explains type inference, pattern matching, and compiling applications. Updated on 17 June 2006.
A brief interview with Tcl creator John Ousterhout (2023)
John Ousterhout, creator of Tcl, highlighted its embeddable nature and "everything is a string" philosophy. He reflected on missed opportunities, including Tcl as a browser language. Ousterhout emphasized the importance of practical utility in widely adopted languages like Tcl and Python.
Why You Should Not Use Tcl (1994)
Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts. Richard Stallman advises against using Tcl for serious programming due to limitations. Users debate Tcl's suitability, citing its extendability and similarities to Lisp.
Why I Like Tcl
The author appreciates Tcl for its elegant syntax, ease of C integration, and event-driven model, but notes its declining popularity, weak type system, and lack of modern libraries.
Tcl the Misunderstood (Antirez)
Tcl is a misunderstood programming language offering significant flexibility and expressiveness, treating everything as a command, supporting dynamic typing, and providing powerful macro-like capabilities through eval and uplevel commands.