Project Detail

Description

Hello, first please bear with me thru my attempt at explaining what I am after. My knowledge of programming language(s) is limited and i am sure my terminology is incorrect, but i think I can get the concept across with adequate detail. I am in need of a dll that can be called from a tcl script (within the tcl interperter) that will read data from a MS Access database and set my global Tcl variables.

My knowledge of tcl is sufficient to call the dll and use the variables as i need to once they are defined, but creating the dll is over my head. Perhaps below is more clear.

1. Tcl is initiated
2. A global variable is defined and set to a 4 or 5 digit number
i.e. global id_number
i.e. set id_nunber 1234(5) -- shouldn't matter which
3. Tcl script establishes global variables for data to be retrieved from the .mdb file
(aprx. 12 variables)
4. Tcl script calls the dll

all of the above i can handle

below is where i need help

5. Dll reads data from .mdb file based on the variable id_number
Dll has to identify which row id_number is on and retrieve data from various columns in that
row. Columns are identified by the name of that column in the first row of the
database. (column names to be provided)
6. Dll assigns retrieved data to the 12 variables established in step 3
7. Dll passes defined variables back to tcl interperter to be used in subsequent Tcl script.

Ultimately I will be using this thru Unigraphics CAD/CAM software to aid in postprocessing machine code. Tcl is the language used by the postprocessor to generate the machine code, hence the need to call the dll from within Tcl and set the Tcl global variables. But in order to include information from my .mdb file I need to use a dll. Just dont know enough C/C++ to make it happen.

I suppose the dll might read data from the appropriate locations in the .mdb file and set each variable one at time rather than read all of the data at one time and then set all of the variables at one time??? Doesn't really matter either i guess. My .mdb file is already established and everything else that I am doing with Tcl is under control. If I didn't explain clearly or missed anything please let me know.

Cheers,

Doug