Re: [TCLCORE] Question about components of Tcl/Tk8.6

[Donal K. F. <don...@ma...>]

Воронов Роман wrote:
> Hello! Tell me please, why are you trying to add so many unnecessary
> components in the standard package of Tcl 8.6? For example, is in
> necessary the Itcl, if you already have TclOO? Why add TDBC in
> standard package, if it is possible to install it manually. There are
> several extensions of questionable need.

The actual size of those packages is pretty small, and the only one that
we're thinking of adding but where we haven't yet done so is Thread
(because that's important functionality that is very useful for taking
advantage of modern computer architectures).

> TCL's charm lies in its size. But I fear that soon Tcl's size will be
> equal to Java's size.

Don't worry about that. Java's got a massive head start...

> The Great extension - Tk is not installed by default with Tcl and it
> may be installed on the user's request. To my mind, user have to
> choose which extension to install and which are not.

Minimalism is all very well, but Tcl's not really all that minimal
anyway. (Compare with Lua here for real minimality.) The extensions that
have been gained are exactly these: TDBC (database access *core* lib;
drivers are external, and will remain so) and Itcl (it's been sought by
a large part of the community for many years). TclOO and zlib are
quasi-packages; they've got names and versions, but are really just part
of Tcl.

> Thus please don't add any extensions (except PNG in Tk) in standard
> Tcl package.

Tk now has PNG support; that'll be part of 8.6.0 (it only just slipped
8.6b1 due to shortage of developer effort).

Donal.