Tcl Blend

SCCS: @(#) README.tclblend 1.14 98/02/18 17:55:14

1. Introduction
---------------

Tcl Blend provides two new capabilities to the Tcl system.  First, 
Tcl Blend provides Java classes that expose key pieces of the 
interfaces that are available to extension writers who currently
use C.  Using these classes, extension writers can create new 
commands for the Tcl interpreter.  In addition, Tcl Blend provides 
commands that allow script writers to directly manipulate Java 
objects without having to write any Java code.  The reflection 
classes in JDK 1.1 make it possible to invoke methods and access 
fields on arbitrary objects.  Tcl Blend takes advantage of these 
capabilities to provide a dynamic interface to Java.

2. Documentation
----------------

The best way to get started with Tcl Blend is to look at the demos
provided in this release.  See the "diffs.txt" file in this directory
for a list of Java Package features and the extent to which they are
implemented in Tcl Blend.  Also, look at the SunScript homepage for a
white paper outlining the basics of Tcl Blend.

3. Requirements
---------------

Tcl8.0 and the Java Development Kit 1.1 or greater is required.

For building Tcl Blend on Solaris the Native Threads Pack, and 
several patches, must be installed on top of JDK1.1.  The 
package, necessary patches, and installation instructions can 
be found at http://www.javasoft.com/products/jdk/1.1/index.html.
NOTE: Tcl Blend does not work with the beta release of the Java
Development Kit 1.2 or the alpha release of Tcl8.1.

4. Installation
---------------

Change to the "unix" subdirectory if you're compiling under UNIX,
or "win" if you're compiling under Windows.  Then follow the 
instructions in the README file in that directory for compiling 
Tcl, installing it, and running the test suite.

5. License Agreement
---------------------

See the file "license.terms" for information on usage and 
redistribution of this file, and for a DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES.

6. Contact Information
----------------------

Tcl Blend 1.0 is a final product from Sun Labs.  No plans to
continue development of Tcl Blend are underway at Sun.  This is not
to say that Sun may not continue development or use this technology
in the future.  It just means that there is currently no contact at
Sun that can answer Tcl Blend related questions.

The reason for this is that the majority of the Jacl/Tcl Blend
developers have spun out of Sun Labs into a start-up company that will
focus on Tcl related products.  Depending on the level of comercial
interest, Scriptics Corporation may offer support and continue
development of Tcl Blend.  Please contact Scriptics for more
information.

Scriptics home page:  http://www.scriptics.com

7. Tcl newsgroup
----------------

There is a network news group "comp.lang.tcl" intended for the exchange
of information about Tcl, Tk, and related applications.  You should
use this newsgroup to ask questions, give bug reports, or post fixes
for Jacl & Tcl Blend.   The developers of Jacl & Tcl Blend as well as
many avid users of Tcl Blend & Jacl use comp.lang.tcl as a forum.

8. Support and bug fixes
------------------------

Unfortunately, we cannot offer direct technical support for Jacl and
Tcl Blend.  We prefer that you send bug reports and fixes to the
comp.lang.tcl newsgroup rather than to any of us at Sun.  We'll see
anything on comp.lang.tcl, and in addition, someone else who reads
comp.lang.tcl may be able to offer a solution.

When reporting bugs, please provide a short Tcl script that we can use
to reproduce the bug.  Make sure that the script runs with bare-bones
Tcl and doesn't depend on any extensions or other programs,
particularly those that exist only at your site.  Also, please include
five additional pieces of information with the script:
    (a) How do we use the script to make the problem happen (e.g.
	what things do we click on, in what order)?
    (b) What happens when you do these things (presumably this is
        undesirable)?
    (c) What did you expect to happen instead?
    (d) What platform are you running on (Machine, OS, etc.)?
    (e) What releases of Tcl products are you using?

The Jacl & Tcl Blend team
-------------------------

Ray Johnson - Project Manager
Melissa Hirschl
Ioi Lam
Bryan Surles
Special thanks to Scott Stanton who implemented Tcl Blend.

