I've been using Tcl/Tk for a while both as a scripting language, and
embedded in C++. However, my experience using calling the Tcl/Tk
library C functions has been largely a frustrating trial of trial and
error. The man pages (e.g.
http://www.tcl.tk/man/tcl8.4/TkLib/contents.htm) are all very well, if
you know what function you're looking for, but I can't find anywhere
where the developers of the libraries have written down how they
recommend they be used.

For example, the man page for Tk_GeometryRequest says:

"Widget code should never call procedures like Tk_ResizeWindow
directly. Instead, it should invoke Tk_GeometryRequest and leave the
final geometry decisions to the geometry manager."

Well, how is one to know that?! - unless you stumble on the
Tk_GeometryRequest page, because after 45 minutes of trial and error,
you can't seem to make Tk_ResizeWindow do what you expect?

What I am looking for therefore is a programmer's guide to using the
Tcl/Tk libraries in a C/C++ application. I don't mean the usual
perfunctory "How to embed Tcl/Tk in C" chapter found in most Tcl/Tk
books. I mean a guide describing the best/proper/suggested use of the
multitude of C functions in the Tcl Tk libraries to create a polished
and sophisticated user interface for a C or C++ program. I would be
most grateful if someone can point me to a web or printed resource.

Thanks
Mike

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Mike Eglington wrote:
>
>....
>
> What I am looking for therefore is a programmer's guide to using the
> Tcl/Tk libraries in a C/C++ application. I don't mean the usual
> perfunctory "How to embed Tcl/Tk in C" chapter found in most Tcl/Tk
> books. I mean a guide describing the best/proper/suggested use of the
> multitude of C functions in the Tcl Tk libraries to create a polished
> and sophisticated user interface for a C or C++ program. I would be
> most grateful if someone can point me to a web or printed resource.
> 
> Thanks
> Mike


Sounds like a good book preface to me.  With the current void of new Tcl
printed material, one of those might do well.  I'd buy it..  I'd even
contribute.

Me and Andreas on the channel driver chapters..
Zoran on threading..
Miguel on the bytecode compiler..
Jeff as the executive editor..


What/how would the summary look like?
Ohh..  The title: "Extreme Tcl: Prove to your co-workers why Java sux"



The intent was light of heart..  So don't jump on me with flaming
torches, please.


Oh.. Back on topic..  The best examples for the deep API stuff happens
to be the source itself.  I'd suggest reading the Tk core and get a feel
for how it uses itself.  Not a complete answer to your Q, but as close
as I can come to one.
- --
David Gravereaux <davygrvy@pobox.com>
[species:human; planet:earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha sector]

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