Re: REXX

raz@nospam.number5.apana.org.au
Fri, 28 Oct 1994 23:53:30 +1000

> From: James Richard Webster <jrwebste@nospam.socs.uts.EDU.AU>
> On Fri, 28 Oct 1994, Alex Portnoy wrote:
>
> > REXX is a programming language used by OS/2, and is in some ways similar
> > to Basic.
> >

REXX is a scripting language that initially appeared in some of IBM's
higher end platforms (I can't remember which for certain, but TSO
springs to mind). It was much later brought to OS/2 (only in the last several
years.)

> I understood that it was merely a highly versatile batch language, which
> was interpreted rather than compiled like most other languages. Is it

It is intended to be interpretated. Limited compilation would be
possibled, as for any other scripting language.

> possible to do actually write something fairly complex with it? I also

Well, you could write most things in it, your code would be
spagetti though.

> believe that REXX is fairly portable (like C), and so a program written
> in IBM-REXX would work for AREXX (Amiga REXX), SunREXX or TyrannosauREXX
> (dodges tomatoes...)

I've never looked into AREXX. I don't know whether it maintains compatibility.

> 10 points to whoever can tell me what REXX stands for (slipped my mind
> right now...)

Restructured, extended executive.

- Raz.