Learn TCL with Real Code Examples
Updated Nov 20, 2025
Practical Examples
Simple GUI app using Tk
Network port scanner
Automation/testing scripts
Custom command interpreter
File batch processing
Troubleshooting
Check for missing braces
Use 'info vars' for debugging
Avoid quoting errors
Trace variable changes
Check event loop issues
Testing Guide
Use tcltest framework
Mock procedures
Use Expect for CLI testing
Automate UI tests with Tk
Write modular scripts
Deployment Options
Plain .tcl scripts
Starpack executables
Tcl interpreters embedded in C apps
Tk application bundles
TclKit
Tools Ecosystem
Tcl/Tk
Expect scripting tool
ActiveTcl
Tcllib & Tklib
Tcl Dev Kit
Integrations
C/C++ extensions
GUI via Tk
Expect for automation
Network libraries
Database extensions
Productivity Tips
Use Tk for quick UI prototypes
Use Tcllib utilities
Leverage Expect for complex automation
Use namespaces to avoid conflicts
Embed Tcl for rapid tool development
Challenges
Build a text editor in Tk
Automate SSH login using Expect
Write custom Tcl package
Create network scanning tool
Embed Tcl interpreter in C program