**Jacl Modernization**
Jacl Modernization Project <<br>>
Google Summer of Code 2009
----
Draft 2009/03/31 <<br>>
<<br>>


***Description***

This project intends to modernize the Jacl interpreter's support of core Tcl 
commands.  We set a goal of implementing Tcl 8.4 level commands.  8.4 is 
targeted as the last Tcl version before major changes to the Tcl parser, which 
supports the "list expansion" syntax in version 8.5 (.e.g., "{*}").  The
TJC compiler also does not currently support list expansion syntax.<<br>>
<<br>>
Should time permit, selective features of Tcl 8.5 may be implemented as
well.  Tcl 8.5 commands to be considered include "apply", "chan", "dict", 
"lassign", "lrepeat", "lreverse", as well as number of new subcommands affecting
many existing commands.  See: [http://wiki.tcl.tk/10630].<<br>>
<<brr>>

Jacl will remain Java JDK version 1.4 API compliant.<<br>>
<<br>>

***Definitions***

 * "Tcl" - refers to the C-based Tcl interpreter, version 8.4.19
 * "Jacl" - refers to Jacl 1.4.1, or the latest from revision control.
 * "JVM" - refers to the Java Virtual Machine, JDK API version 1.4


***Analysis***

We examine each Tcl command using man pages and source code, and compare the
existing Jacl source code implementation of that command.  Only Tcl core 
commands are compared; standard library procs (e.g., "auto_execok", 
"auto_import", etc.) are not considered.  Some of these standard library
procs are implementation dependent, others may be used directly from Tcl 8.4 <<br>>

<<br>>

For each command, each option invocation is listed.  Jacl support will either 
be noted as "Supported" or "**Unsupported**".  Also, for commands that have 
switches, options, format specifiers, etc., we examine those for conformity.  
Where these match Tcl, we note those as "Supported", otherwise if not 
implemented or differing in funcionality, we note as "**Unsupported**".<<br>>


***Testing***

The Tcl test suite should be considered the standard by which Jacl should
comply.  Notable exception include those commands that expect to interact
with operating system API's, such as "exec".  JVM limitations may prevent
full Tcl compliance for some commands. <<br>>


***Implementation Priority***

Tasks to modernize Jacl range from easy to difficult.  Firstly, easy tasks, such 
as adding options to existing commands to help familiarize with the Jacl 
code base before tackling more difficult tasks.<<br>>

<<br>>
File event processing is likely to require substantial changes
to Jacl file handling and event structures.<<br>>


***Analysis Results***


****after****


        after ms
                Supported

        after ms ?script script script ...?
                Supported

        after cancel id
                Supported

        after cancel script script ...
                Supported
        
        after idle script ?script script ...?
                Supported

        after info ?id?
                Supported


----
!!!!!!
%| enter categories here |%
!!!!!!