Q: How do I install TkZinc?

A: TkZinc can be installed either by compiling the sources please, read the README file), or by using a binary distribution (the last is often much simpler). For Perl users, TkZinc is also available on the CPAN

Q: Which binaries package do you offers?

A: Currently we propose binary package for Debian and Mandrake linux distribution for Intel based hosts. A perl-zinc debian package is also available for StrongArm-based host. However, Pat Thoyts has gently contributed in building a Windows starkit package for Tcl. Any such packaging will be highly appreciated.

Q: Which are the current plateform known to work with TkZinc?

A: TkZinc with Perl is working on Linux (and certainly on Unix). TkZinc with Tcl is working on Linux (Unixes), Windows and MacOSX (under X11 with fink).

I tried installing the Perl Tk Zinc (from the CPAN) on OSX (panther 10.3). No go, no matter how hard I tried. Anyone have any help for me?

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker
Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.

What kind of errors are you getting? I have a lot of redefintions and then stuff like this:

WidgetInfo.h:271: error: syntax error before "Arg"
WidgetInfo.h:271: warning: no semicolon at end of struct or union
WidgetInfo.h:284: error: syntax error before '}' token
[download]

Arg is evidentally a struct inside an ifdef Perl/Tk block. Evidentally someone is expecting the wrong version of Tk (or equivalent) I'll email the author/maintainer tomorrow if I remember!

The Component looks extra spiffy (even for non-air-traffic-control-applications!), so it would be nice to see it working!

Which version of perl/Tk do you use ? TkZinc 3.2.96 do not work with perl/Tk 804; Try perl/Tk 800.024, it should work.

Feel free to ask for help if anything go wrong. The perl package is not the best asset of TkZinc ;-)

The TkZinc mailing list is at: zinc@tls.cena.fr

Patrick Lecoanet

Let me guess: you didn't read the README file before you tried compiling?

Let me guess...you just made an invalid assumption about a certain monk's familarity with the Linux/UNIX compile process and this ability to RTFM?

To be completely fair, that was one of the less useful README's I've read, as it addressed all the contact information and nothing on the "how to resolve compilation and dependancy problems" side -- all of which I pretty much nailed on my own. Every kid knows "perl Makefile.PL, make, make test, make install". Obvious. That's all it said.

The code is broken -- it should work from source *without* the need for binary patches. Needing binary patches for a module is like saying "Well, I really don't know how the heck all of this is supposed to go together...I give up...". Really, if the Perl module isn't compiling off CPAN, there is a problem -- and this will keep most users away from it.

Update: guess what, it's not compile friendly in the least. latest tk-devel, tcl-devel, and it's still getting errors in the base file.