Tcl Blend RCS: @(#) $Id: README.tclblend,v 1.2 1998/11/04 22:22:52 hylands Exp $ 1. Introduction --------------- Tcl Blend provides two capabilities to the Tcl system. First, Tcl Blend provides Java classes that expose key pieces of the interfaces that are available to extension writers who currently use C. Using these classes, extension writers can create new commands for the Tcl interpreter. In addition, Tcl Blend provides commands that allow script writers to directly manipulate Java objects without having to write any Java code. The reflection classes in JDK 1.1 make it possible to invoke methods and access fields on arbitrary objects. Tcl Blend takes advantage of these capabilities to provide a dynamic interface to Java. 2. Documentation ---------------- The best way to get started with Tcl Blend is to look at the demos provided in this release. Also, look at the Scriptics Jacl and Tcl Blend page at http://www.scriptics.com/java for other useful information. 3. Requirements --------------- Tcl8.0 and the Java Development Kit 1.1 or greater is required. For building Tcl Blend on Solaris the Native Threads Pack, and several patches, must be installed on top of JDK1.1. The package, necessary patches, and installation instructions can be found at http://www.javasoft.com/products/jdk/1.1/index.html. Tcl Blend 1.1 will run under JDK1.2fcs, see known_issues.txt for a list of bugs. 4. Installation --------------- Change to the "unix" subdirectory if you're compiling under UNIX, or "win" if you're compiling under Windows. Then follow the instructions in the README file in that directory for compiling Tcl, installing it, and running the test suite. 5. License Agreement --------------------- See the file "license.terms" for information on usage and redistribution of this file, and for a DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES. 6. Contact Information ---------------------- Tcl Blend 1.0 was released by the now defunct SunScript group at Sun Labs. the majority of the Jacl/Tcl Blend developers spun out of Sun Labs into Scriptics. Tcl Blend 1.1 was developed primarily by people outside of Scriptics, with assistance by Scriptics. Currently, the Tcl Blend tree is available via the Scriptics CVS repository at http://www.scriptics.com/software/netcvs.html 7. Tcl newsgroup ---------------- There is a network news group "comp.lang.tcl" intended for the exchange of information about Tcl, Tk, and related applications. You should use this newsgroup to ask questions, give bug reports, or post fixes for Jacl & Tcl Blend. The developers of Jacl & Tcl Blend as well as many avid users of Tcl Blend & Jacl use comp.lang.tcl as a forum. 8. Support and bug fixes ------------------------ Unfortunately, Scriptics, University of Minnesota and UC Berkeley cannot offer direct technical support for Jacl and Tcl Blend. We prefer that you send bug reports and fixes to the comp.lang.tcl newsgroup rather than to any one individually. We'll see anything on comp.lang.tcl, and in addition, someone else who reads comp.lang.tcl may be able to offer a solution. When reporting bugs, please provide a short Tcl script that we can use to reproduce the bug. Make sure that the script runs with bare-bones Tcl and doesn't depend on any extensions or other programs, particularly those that exist only at your site. Also, please include five additional pieces of information with the script: (a) How do we use the script to make the problem happen (e.g. what things do we click on, in what order)? (b) What happens when you do these things (presumably this is undesirable)? (c) What did you expect to happen instead? (d) What platform are you running on (Machine, OS, etc.)? (e) What releases of Tcl products are you using? The Jacl 1.0 & Tcl Blend 1.0 team at Sun Script ----------------------------------------------- Ray Johnson - Project Manager Melissa Hirschl Ioi Lam Bryan Surles Special thanks to Scott Stanton who implemented Tcl Blend. The Jacl 1.1 & Tcl Blend 1.1 team --------------------------------- Mo DeJong (University of Minnesota) Christopher Hylands (UC Berkeley) John Reekie (UC Berkeley) Bryan Surles (Scriptics)