Re: Informix With Tcl/TK

In article <1993Oct24.201316.15031@fdml.com>, gbr@fdml.com (Gerald B. Rosenberg) writes: >In article <1993Oct21.132504.20543@informix.com> iani@magellan.noname writes: >> >>Does anyone have an examples of tcl/tk code that interfaces to an Informix >>Database ? >> >>******************************************************************************/ > >A number of recent posts have touched on combining Tk/tcl with Informix >products. > >I have been considering the possibility of integrating Informix-4GL with Tk/tcl >recently. My interest is two-fold: > >(1) using Tk/tcl as an effective replacement for the standard Unix curses >library used by informix -- a C wrapper that emulates the curses calls and >implements calls to supporting Tk/tcl routines (sounds simple enough). The >entire functionality of 4GL would then be preserved. > My law firm is running a rather large custom 4GL application based on >Online5.0 and 4GL. A "simple" substitution of a library to obtain at least >minimal GUI based operation is very attractive. Depending on how your applications is written, you may be in for some problems. GUI's have the user drive the program. Older applications had the program drive the user (a lot of the times). This can cause major headaches to people when they are doing their first GUI, its a new way of thinking. > >(2) using tcl as an embedded engine to "objectify" complex database procedures. >The Sean.Levy and skumar tcl/sql program extensions (allowing tcl to access the >dtabase directly) provide a part of the solution. The remaining two necessary >parts are tcl extensions to allow 4GL to call the tcl interpreter with a script >argument and the ability for tcl commands to call 4GL procedures. Both should >be relatively straight forward, given the existing informix 4GL/C interface. 4GL->tcl is simple, just extend your 4GL to call (via C) the Tcl_Eval function that tcl provides. tcl->4GL should also be simple if you can call 4GL procedures from C. Just write a C routine that conforms to the tcl/C interface specifications (see the man page for Tcl_CreateCommand) and export it to tcl via a call to Tcl_CreateCommand. > A part of our application is a complex docketing system where entry or >modification of a row will conditionally require modification/entry/deletion of >many other rows in several tables -- a naturally recursive system (therefore, >triggers are not usable), but with objectifiable database operations >(propositions). I had first thought to use a prolog engine for this function, >but all that I found were stand alone applications -- certainly nothing as >embeddable as tcl. Then all I would have to do is to write a tcl program to >read and execute a propositional syntax similar to prolog. > >Though simple in parts, this is still an ambitious plan and I would like to >find others with similar interests in seeing this, or at least parts of this, >implemented. > >Is there anyone out there with interests at all similar? Has anyone >implemented more than the tcl/sql extensions? > >Your aid and support is greatly appreciated, We have done this with our real time database and ti worked out great. I'll answer any quicky question like this either via e-mail or phone. We also do consulting if you need something more. \\ You might also consider taking the Tcl/Tk course we are offering in Decemeber in New Orleans. If you have a lot of people that need training,it might be cheaper to have a course done by either NeoSoft or ourselves at you site. In any case, let me know how things turn out! Later, ========================================================================== * Gerald W. Lester ! Voice: (504)-889-2784 * * Computerized Processes Unlimited ! FAX: (504)-889-2799 * * 4200 S. I-10 Service Road, Suite #205 ! E-Mail: gwl@cpu.com * * Metairie, LA 70001 ! * ==========================================================================