The Tcl Programming Language: A Comprehensive Guide

A draft of the Second Edition covering Tcl 9 is ready and downloadable for Gumroad customers. The final release will also be available without additional cost

The Tcl Programming Language is a comprehensive guide to this immensely flexible and versatile language. Starting with the basic features, it expands its scope to include the more advanced concepts, facilities and programming idioms from which the language derives its power.

Table of Contents: PDF

Paperback: 668 pages
ISBN-10: 154867964X
ISBN-13: 978-1548679644
Print: Amazon, List $39.95
PDF: Gumroad, List $17.95.

NOTE: The print edition from Amazon is currently unavailable.

1. Book description
2. Support
3. Reviews

Book Description

From the back cover:

  • Begin with the basics of Tcl syntax and commands for operating on data.

  • Get acquainted with the flexible and uniform execution model that enables metaprogramming, custom control structures etc.

  • Learn to modularize your code with namespaces, object-oriented design and packages.

  • See how intrinsic support for Unicode and encodings makes it a breeze to localize your applications.

  • Become conversant with the integrated event loop and how it facilitates efficient asynchronous I/O models and the reactive style of programming.

  • Delve into Tcl's sophisticated I/O framework and write your own reflected channels, transforms and virtual file systems.

  • Understand the built-in facilities for inter-process communication using pipes or the network.

  • See how concurrent programming facilities like coroutines and threads can simplify your code and make it more performant.

  • Learn how to secure your application through the use of safe interpreters for sandboxing.

  • Interact with databases through the Tcl Database Connectivity interface.

  • Discover how software distribution and installation headaches are eliminated with starkits and single file deployment.

The breadth of coverage and numerous examples will familiarize newcomers to every aspect of Tcl programming. At the same time, the depth and level of detail, and an exhaustive index, make The Tcl Programming Language a valuable reference in every Tcl programmer's bookshelf.

Support

For the Errata and user discussion, please visit the Tclers Wiki.

Sample scripts from the book are available here.

Please send any comments about the book to apnmbx-wits at yahoo.com.

Reviews

Gumroad

★★★★★ 26 ratings
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Amazon

★★★★★ 43 ratings
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From Amazon US:
★★★★★ The best Tcl book on the market. Full review
★★★★★ An excellent resource for beginners through to experienced programmers. Full review
★★★★★ Phenomenal amount of material and the writing is precise, clear and straightforward. Full review
★★★★★ Read the preview material... then buy the book. It really is good! Full review
★★★★★ A great book on TCL v8.6. I really liked the writing style of the author. Full review
★★★★★ Great guide to all of the features of modern TCL! Full review
★★★★★ Awesome Tcl resource. This book is everything I needed to learn more about Tcl. Full review
★★★★★ Excellent and very detailed coverage of tcl 8.6 with many helpful examples. Full review
★★★★★ One of the best engineering books I've ever seen. Full review
★★★★★ Given the great organization and coverage, I stopped using Google. Full review
★★★★★ This is most assuredly the best current book on Tcl. Full review

From Amazon UK:

★★★★★ Best Tcl book I've come across so far. Full review
★★★★★ Best Tcl 8.6 reference. Full review
★★★★★ Excellent, up-to-date and comprehensive. Full review
★★★★★ A really good reference. Full review
★★★★★ Great book. Very helpful, all the content I needed in one place. Full review
★★★★★ (no review)

From Amazon Germany:

★★★★★ Tolles Buch für alle TCLer. Full review
★★★★★ Aktuelles und vollständiges TCL Buch. Full review
★★★★★ Really good book. Every topic is well explained, but it's never too much or too repetitive! Full review
★★★★★ Das Buch lässt kein Thema aus, geht über die Grundlagen weit hinaus Full review
★★★★★ Endlich ein vollständiges und umfängliches TCL Programmierbuch für V8.6 Full review
★★★★★ Monumental effort and useful both for beginners and for the advanced programmer. Full review
☆★★★★ Ausführliches Nachschlagewerk. Der Druck ist optisch manchmal etwas anstrengend... Full review

From Amazon France:

★★★★★ Livre le plus récent sur le langage Tcl. Full review

From Amazon Italy:

★★★★★ Bello. Full review

From Amazon India:

★★★★★ Five Stars. Full review

From Amazon Canada:

★★★★★ This is the best book for learning TCL and it serves as a great reference too! Full review
☆★★★★ A valuable Tcl book you got to have. However, the font is so small, it is a bit difficult to read it. Full review

From Amazon Australia:

★★★★★ The depth of this book is amazing.Writing style is really good, the example snippets short and well demonstrate the issue in hand. Full review

Goodreads

★★★★★ 3 ratings
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★★★★★ I kept reading because I found myself enjoying reading about Tcl's features and the way this book laid them out. Full review
★★★★★The most recent book that deals with Tcl... Full review