Jupyter Kernel

Overview

Originally meant as a framework for Python, many other language kernels have been added, to provide an interactive execution environment for script-like execution of code fragments (i.e. Python, R, Ruby, Haskell, Node, Go, Smalltalk and others).

The "stx:goodies/communication/jupyter" package implements such a kernel for Smalltalk/X.

Documentation

Setup & configuration

Prerequisites

• Install Jupyter
  Probably the easiest way to do this is via

      pip install notebook

  However there are many other options (see https://jupyter.org/install).
• Next you'll need the zeromq smalltalk package,
• in particular, the libzmq.so (or libzmq.dll) library.
  Make sure to download an appropriate version (for your OS) and put the shared library at a place where ST/X will find it (i.e. either install it globally or in the ST/-bin folder, or add it to the LD_LIBRARY_PATH, or go to the ST/X settings and add it to the library search path there).

Kernel Config Files

    /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.7/share/jupyter/kernels

    $(HOME)/Library/Jupyter/kernels

To see where your Jupyter stores the specs, type:

    jupyter kernelspec list

Adding a Smalltalk/X Kernel Config File

    stx --run stx:goodies/communication/jupyterTalk --install

• Find the appropriate kernel folder, and add a subfolder named "stx" (or similar).
• Create a new file named: "kernel.json" in that "stx" folder.
• Edit the file to contain:

  {
    "argv": [
      "$(PATH_TO_STX)/stx",
      "-I", "--quick", "--run", "stx:goodies/communication/jupyterTalk",
      "{connection_file}"
    ],
    "display_name": "Smalltalk/X",
    "language": "smalltalk"
  }

  Replace "$(PATH_TO_STX)/stx" by the folder where the Smalltalk/X stx-executable is found; typically something like "/opt/smalltalkx/bin" or "/usr/local/bin" or similar.
  The best approach is to put "/usr/local/bin/stx" (or similar) there, and then create a symbolic link from that path to where your actual stx installation is.

Starting Jupyter

    jupyter notebook

    jupyter lab

In Jupyter, press the "New" button at the top right, and choose "Smalltalk/X". In JypyterLab, select "New" from the top menu. If there is no entry for "Smalltalk/X", you might have a problem with your kernel config file (wrong pathname or Jupyter uses a different config folder).

An empty cell into which you can enter a Smalltalk expression should appear. Try "3+4" and press "Run" (the right-arrow button in the toolbar). If all goes well, a result cell containing "7" should appear (obviously).

Try "Smalltalk openDisplay. NewLauncher open.". The standard Smalltalk/X launcher will appear.

Loading

    Smalltalk loadPackage:'stx:goodies/communication/jupyter'

    Smalltalk requirePackage:'stx:goodies/communication/jupyter'

Notice:
Jupyter will start a fresh Smalltalk/X binary, and the kernel configuration will tell it to load the package upon startup. Thus, if you modify any code, you'll have to save the affected classes back into the package folder, recompile the package library (in "stx/goodies/communication/jupyter"), and restart the kernel.

Prerequisites

No Warranty

Origin/Authors