(This entry is intended to be the quick "you have 30 seconds to explain TCL to someone" speech.)

Tcl is a '''rapid-prototyping''' environment. 
It is most known as a '''scripting language''', but Tcl is much, much, more. 
Tcl has been adapted to run webservers, robotic manufacturing equipment, even spacecraft. 
Tcl is '''bundled with every major Linux distro''', '''OS X''', even Cisco routers. 
Also runs under '''Windows'''.
Odds are that you have probably used a Tcl/Tk application and never even knew it. 
(If you've watched NBC since 1998, you've seen a Tcl app on screen.)

All this power may sound a little daunting to learn. 
No worries, Tcl is extremely '''simple to program'''. 
There are but '''12 rules''' a coder needs to be familiar with to competently program in it. 
This power and simplicity makes it an essential tool for many systems. 

If all that were not enough, Tcl has a powerful '''GUI construction tool''' called '''[Tk]'''. 
Tcl/Tk quietly runs a lot of day-to-day utilities under Linux. 
If you’ve ever compiled the kernel using Xconfig, that’s a Tk app.


'''Where can I get Tcl/Tk?'''

With the notable exception of Windows, if your computer can read this web page, it probably has Tcl/Tk installed. To get started programming, go out to a command line and type "wish". 
Running Windows? 
Don't have Tcl/Tk? Have an older version? Our friends at [ActiveState] have friendly bundles of tools for [Windows], [MacOS X], and [Linux]. The bundle includes an up-to-date Tcl/Tk interpretor, a lot of popular packages, and most of the tools you would need to get started on your own killer App.

Tcl/Tk is maintained by the [Tcl Core Team] on [SourceForge]. 
You can follow its developments at:  http://tcl.sf.net/
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[WJP] 2007-05-21. It seems to me that it would be useful to name the Tcl app seen on NBC, 
maybe even give a URL or screenshot.

[SDW] 2007-05-21. [KBK] Work(s|ed) with the system extensively. 
Perhaps we could request he write up short article on the system, and we simply link.

[DKF]: I don't think you normally see the application; just its output.

[MR] how could this leverage/compare/improve/merge with the front page of www.tcl.tk?

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[Category Advocacy]