Tool Command Language/Took Kit (TCL/TK)

Nicholas Elias
NRL

Session ID: B4.02   type: BOF

Abstract:

Tcl is a general-purpose script and shell language. Its ``core'' procedures resemble C functions and UNIX shell commands, and by themselves they can be used to create exciting applications. The tcl language is expandable within the script language itself or by ``registering'' C and FORTRAN functions. Tcl may be used for interactive data analysis packages as well as for instrumentation control. The graphics extensions of tcl, called tk, have all the functionality of X and significantly decrease the amount of GUI development time. Tcl also has an object-oriented extension called [incr tcl], which incorporates many C++ concepts, such as classes, inheritance, data encapsulation, member functions, etc.

Each talk will be 10 minutes in length, with an additional 2 minutes for questions. After the talks, a 30-minute "rap" session will take place to direct additional questions to the speakers and address other issues.

  1. General overview of tcl and practical scientific examples; Nick Elias (USNO)
  2. Tcl/Tk interfaces for telescopes and intrumentation; Dave Mills (NOAO)
  3. Tcl/Tk planning and scheduling software for the Hobby-Eberly telescope; Niall Gaffney (UT Austin)
  4. Converting a FORTRAN user interface to tcl: The XSPEC fitting package; Dean Hinshaw (GSFC)
  5. Tcl usage in the IRAF project; Mike Fitzpatrick (NOAO)

Possible rap session topics: Types of problems suitable for tcl, strengths and weaknesses of tcl. Additional topics welcomed.





Patrick P. Murphy
Tue Sep 17 09:09:49 EDT 1996