Tcl/Tk Software

There are several options available for obtaining Tcl/Tk. These are listed below.

Operating System Packages

Most Unix / Linux operating system distributions, as well as Mac OS X, include Tcl/Tk. If not already installed, you can use your system's package manager to install the appropriate packages. For example, on a Debian system, you can type

apt-get install tcl

to install Tcl. Note than some components, even including Tk, man pages and C libraries may be separate packages and installed in a similar manner.

To check the version installed, start Tcl/Tk (usually via running "tclsh" or "wish" from a command line), and typing

info patchlevel

This will tell you what version you're running.

If you do not have privileges to install software or if you need a newer version than the one provided by the system, you may use one of the alternative means of obtaining Tcl as described below.

Binary Distributions

Pre-built Tcl distributions for many common platforms are available for download. These include both traditional installers as well as single file "download and run" executables. See Binary distributions.

Source Distributions

Finally, you always have the option of downloading the Tcl/Tk source distributions and building it yourself. See Source distributions for instructions on downloading and compiling.

Related Software

A very large number of libraries and extensions are available for Tcl/Tk. The most popular and commonly used ones are catalogued in the Great Unified Tcl/Tk Extension Repository. (In other words, get them from the GUTTER.) The Tcler's Wiki is an alternate, but uncategorized, resource for the same.

License Information

Tcl/Tk is open source (based on a BSD-style license), so you can use it and modify it virtually any way you want, including for commercial uses. Here is the Tcl source distribution license, but be sure to check the license for any particular distribution you use.

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