Does Tcl matter to system administrators?  Absolutely; in fact,
[CL] argues [http://findreference] that Tcl
is the single most useful language for them to learn.


[[... details ...]]




[[... Windows, too.  and MacOS.  And OpenVMS and OS/400! ...]]




[[ [Don Libes]' papers on sysad:  http://expect.nist.gov/doc/autoexpect.pdf ;
http://expect.nist.gov/doc/bgpasswd.ps ;
http://expect.nist.gov/doc/sysadm.ps ;
... others ...]]

----
Cameron Laird had this to say (regarding a Tcl vs Perl for Sys Admin question) in comp.lang.tcl:

When people set up these bake-offs, I usually turn
away; it's just too easy for Perl to dominate in
the obvious "check-box" items.

I have particularly strong feelings about this role,
though.  In all the "Is {Java,Erlang,PHP,...} better
than {C++,Rexx,,Ada,...} for {Web scripting,COM auto-
mation,...}?" competitions, one of the easiest 
correct conclusions to draw is that Tcl is the single
most essential and desirable language for cross-plat-
form system administration.  Here's why:
   * Expect is a Tcl extension.  Expect is absolutely crucial for SysAd.  Perl has an Expect.pm--but it's about a decade (slight exaggeration) behind the original Expect in its polish.
   * Tk is a Tcl extension.  Again, Perl has Perl/Tk, but the latter has serious flaws on the Windows side.
   * Tcl glues better than Perl.  Specifically, it's a lot easier to teach newcomers how to manage external processes with Tcl than with Perl. Some Perlites will argue this point. I've been studying it for a long time.  I'm right.
   * Tcl Blend works.  The Java/Perl combinations mostly don't.
   * Tcl has the strongest tradition of use as a testing language.  Is the pertinence of that to SysAd clear?
   * Naive users take to Tcl at least as quickly as to Perl.

I don't put too much weight on this proposition.  Season to taste, or, more specifically, apply as appropriate in your own situation.

In what language did Oracle develop its Oracle Enterprise Manager sysad tool?  Tcl.  In what language did IBM develop its WebSphere Control Program?  OK, Patrick, I know you already know this answer.  Neither of these companies particularly *likes* Tcl; I've talked with PR types with both, and they're trained to hide Tcl's role.  Tcl's technical virtues in these applications are unmistakeable, though.

'''LH''' What language is Vigentte StoryServer in? Or the BMC Patrol installation GUI?  [[CL responds:  'Same one as the Software AG installer.]]