Essentials of Tcl/Tk Programming (PC240)

SynopsisTcl (Tool Command Language) is a very powerful but easy to learn dynamic programming language, suitable for a very wide range of usage, including web and desktop applications, networking, EDA, testing, administration and many more. Open source and business-friendly, Tcl is a mature yet evolving language that is truly cross platform, easily deployed and highly extensible. The high-level nature of Tcl enables rapid application development by improving developers’ productivity and shortening time to market.

Tk is a graphical user interface toolkit that takes developing desktop applications to a higher level, as compared to conventional approaches. Tk is the standard GUI not only for Tcl but for many other dynamic languages such as Perl, Python and Ruby. Tk can produce rich, native applications that run unchanged across Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and others.

The combination of Tcl and the Tk GUI toolkit is referred to as Tcl/Tk. Tcl/Tk runs the operator interface of a Shell Oil drilling rig, runs the NBC network control system 24x7, has been used to program the Hubble Space Telescope and prototype the Mars Pathfinder, is embedded in every Tivo box, Cisco networking equipments and many Oracle products. Long before "test-driven development" became a buzzword, Tcl was the industry standard in the automated test industry and had been well established as a testing powerhouse, leveraging its ability to easily interface with other software and hardware. Embedding Tcl within other software projects is also hugely popular, and has become the dominant control language in some industries, such as in electronic design automation (EDA) and computer-aided design (CAD) applications.

Course Highlight
This course is designed to give participants a comprehensive introduction to Tcl/Tk from beginner to intermediate level. The course not only delivers the essential material, but also focuses on various tips as well as pitfalls to get participants more effective in writing clean, maintainable Tcl/Tk code, and making applications that run faster.

This course comprises two sections, i.e. Tcl and Tk. In Tcl section, it starts by introducing the philosophy behind Tcl and the basic Tcl syntax and commands. The participants are then introduced to string processing, data structure manipulation, file handling, etc. It then covers intermediate topics like regular expression, metaprogramming and Tcl’s unique event-driven programming paradigm. In Tk section, the participants will explore the Tk interface components and various layout managers, learn how to modify and extend their behaviors, and become skilled at putting them together into complex multi-window applications. Finally, the participants will learn how to deploy Tcl/Tk applications to users.

What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course'

• "GUI programming." - 22 Jan 10
• "The trainer give examples that we might make mistake in future. So we can learnt better. Besides, the note has sample code + result, which give me clearer idea about what the code is doing." - 22 Jan 10
• "There are many examples that mistake can be avoided." - 22 Jan 10
• "Creating GUI, very interesting." - 22 Jan 10
• "Instructor is knowledgeable, he highlighted a lot useful and important information." - 22 Jan 10
• "The fundamental Tcl/Tk is clearly explained. Theory part is good." - 22 Jan 10
• "Writing GUI program. Able to solve the problems from assignment given." - 22 Jan 10
• "The labs, assignment approach." - 22 Jan 10

What You Will Learn

• Philosophy behind Tcl/Tk
• Basic Tcl syntax and commands
• String processing
• Data structure manipulation
• Exception handling
• File handling
• Regular expression
• Dynamic evaluation
• Reflection & introspection
• Event-driven programming
• Tk basics
• Tk widgets
• Geometry managers
• Bindings & events
• Application deployment

Who Should AttendThe primary target audiences for this course are software developers and engineers with no or little background in other programming languages but would like to learn Tcl/Tk programming. The course will also be of interest to technical managers who consider using Tcl/Tk?s advantages as strategic instrument to better fulfill business requirements.

Examples of target audience:

• Electronic design engineers
• Software developers
• Test engineers
• Technical managers
• Project managers
• Program managers

PrerequisiteSome background in Tcl/Tk programming would be preferable but not required.

Course MethodologyThe participants are taught Tcl/Tk programming in classroom setting, and interspersed with hands-on exercises to practice the knowledge learnt. They will go through practical Tcl/Tk development experience with guidance from the instructor.

Course Duration3 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureTcl

• Philosophy behind Tcl
• Tcl basics
• Scalar data type
• Command evaluation
• Quoting and substitution
• Control flow commands
• Procedures and scope
• String manipulations
• List data type and commands
• Array data type and commands
• Error and exception handling
• File handling
• Regular expressions
• Dynamic evaluation
• Reflection and introspection
• Event-driven programming

• Tk basics
• Tk widgets
• Tk geometry managers
• Tk bindings and events
• Clipboard and dialogs
• Window manager and information
• Deployment using Tclkit & Starkits