Computer Aided Design, Computer Assisted Design or ...

[JO] created Tcl for work he was doing in the area of CAD.

John Ousterhout originally created Tcl for CAD software used to perform 2D (two-dimensional) layout of IC and PCB designs in the electronics industry (although he was of course in the academic world at the time).  At the time Tcl was created, most PCB and IC CAD software was focused on simplifying the designer's job by ensuring that necessary manufacturing tolerances etc. were maintained in the layout and then producing drawings for producing etching plates or directly drivimg milling machines which produced the master etching plates.

A useful history of CAD software is available at http://www.cadazz.com, although at this time the history is unfortunately confined to the mechanical CAD world.  Any comments and corrections will be appreciated and the site shortly intends to add a Wiki to allow additions to be freely made to the existing material.
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