Tcl/Tk
Tcl (Tool Command Language), commonly pronounced “tickle”, is a scripting language like Perl, JavaScript, Born, and Korn. Scripting languages are easy to use and learn because they have a syntax that is easy to read, are platform independent, and don’t require compiling.
The drawback for scripting languages is that they tend to be slower, especially when solving large, complicated mathematical problems. Tcl has a simple and programmable syntax and can be used as a stand-alone application or embedded in application programs.
Take the ease of use of a scripting language and add the ability to create graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and you have the Tk (Tool Kit) module for Tcl.
Tcl/Tk is embedded into many of the HyperWorks applications. This allows for scripts to have access to the application commands and database and also to have additional logic and conditional controls. This makes possible the development of custom applications, including user-defined processes, panels and GUIs.
The HyperWorks GUI Toolkit (HWT) and the HyperWorks Automation Toolkit (HWAT) provide additional development resources by providing extensions to standard Tk widgets or wrapping several application commands into one.
- HyperGraph script to update curve labels
- HyperMesh script to create a materials database
- HyperView script to query information from a model
- ProcessManager script to create a new panel for gathering user input