#lang scribble/doc
@require[scribble/manual]
@require[scribble/eval]
@require["guide-utils.ss"]

@title[#:tag-prefix '(lib "scribblings/guide/guide.scrbl") 
       #:tag "top"]{@bold{Guide}: PLT Scheme}

This guide is intended for programmers who are new to Scheme, new to PLT
Scheme, or new to some part of PLT Scheme. It assumes
programming experience, so if you are new to programming, consider
instead reading @|HtDP|. If you want a brief introduction to PLT
Scheme, start with @|Quick|.

@seclink["to-scheme"]{Chapter 2} provides a brief introduction to
Scheme. From @seclink["datatypes"]{Chapter 3} on, this guide dives
into details---covering much of the PLT Scheme toolbox, but leaving
precise details to @|MzScheme| and other reference manuals.

@table-of-contents[]

@include-section["welcome.scrbl"]

@include-section["to-scheme.scrbl"]

@include-section["data.scrbl"]

@include-section["forms.scrbl"]

@include-section["define-struct.scrbl"]

@include-section["modules.scrbl"]

@include-section["contracts.scrbl"]

@include-section["io.scrbl"]

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@include-section["class.scrbl"]


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "control"]{Exceptions and Control}


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@include-section["for.scrbl"]


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "regexp"]{Regular-Expression Matching@aux-elem{ (Regexps)}}


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "match"]{Pattern Matching}

@subsection{Simple Dispatch: @scheme[case]}

The @scheme[case] form dispatches to a clause by matching the result
of an expression to the values for the clause:

@specform[(case [(_datum ...+) expr ...+]
                ...)]

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@include-section["qq.scrbl"]

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "units"]{Units (Higher-Order Modules)}


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "threads"]{Threads}

@subsection[#:tag "parameters"]{Parameters}

A @deftech{parameter} holds a kind of global option. For example,
there is a parameter that determines the default destination for
printed output.

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@include-section["macros.scrbl"]


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@include-section["namespaces.scrbl"]


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "reader"]{Reader Extension}

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "security"]{Security}


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "memory-management"]{Memory Management}

@subsection[#:tag "weakboxes"]{Weak Boxes}

@subsection[#:tag "ephemerons"]{Ephemerons}

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@include-section["performance.scrbl"]

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "ffi"]{Foreign-Function Interface@aux-elem{ (FFI)}}


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "scripts"]{Scripts}


@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "mred"]{Graphical User Interfaces@aux-elem{ (GUIs)}}

@deftech{MrEd} is both a library and an executable. As a library,
 @scheme[(lib "mred/mred.ss")] provides class, interface, and function
 bindings for writing GUI programs. An an executable, @exec{mred}
 substitutes for @exec{mzscheme} to run MrEd programs. (The
 @exec{mzscheme} executable cannot run MrEd programs, because
 @exec{mzscheme} does not include primitive GUI support, and because
 some operating systems distinguish GUI applications from command-line
 applications.)

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@section[#:tag "tools"]{More Tools}

In the @seclink["intro"]{introduction}, we mentioned that PLT Scheme
includes more tools besides DrScheme and MzScheme:

@itemize{

 @tool["MrEd"]{extends MzScheme with graphical user interface (GUI)
 and drawing primitives}

 @tool["Setup PLT"]{a command-line tool for installation tasks}

 @tool["planet"]{a command-line tool for managing packages that are
 normally downloaded automatically, on demand}

 @tool["mzc"]{a command-line tool for miscellaneous tasks, such as
 compiling Scheme source, compiling C-implemented extensions to the
 run-time system, generating executables, and building distribution
 packages}

}

@; ----------------------------------------------------------------------

@index-section[]