OS/2 FAQ List: User's Edition (4 Apr 94)

(5.11) REXX

How do I use REXX?  What does it do?

REXX is built into every copy of OS/2 (where it is also known as 
Procedures Language/2).  It is a general purpose, interpreted programming 
language which was first released on IBM mainframes over a decade ago. 
 REXX is extremely easy to learn and use.  It is particularly strong at 
string manipulation, and it has features which are difficult to implement 
in compiled languages (like the ability to read its own source code or 
execute a string as a command).

OS/2 applications can use REXX as a common scripting language, which means 
that users need not learn separate macro or script languages for each 
application.  For example, the OS/2 versions of Lotus 1-2-3 and Borland 
ObjectVision will interface with REXX.  OS/2's multimedia extensions 
(MMPM/2) contain a REXX interface, so REXX programs can play, record, and 
manipulate sound and video files.  And REXX can be used to create complex 
batch files (with interactive prompting), since it is integrated so 
tightly into OS/2's command processor.  Moreover, A pair of REXX visual 
builders (programming tools which help create even complex REXX 
applications quickly and easily using simple, drag and drop manipulation 
of on screen objects), HockWare's VisPro/REXX and Watcom's VX REXX, are 
now available.

For more information on OS/2's REXX interpreter, see the REXX Information 
online documentation located in the Information folder.  For more 
information on REXX generally, consult the REXX Frequently Asked Questions 
List [available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources].  {{ Or consult 
either OS/2 REXX: From Bark to Byte (IBM Publication No. GG24-4199) or 
REXX Under OS/2 by G.F. Gargiulo (Wiley, ISBN 0471-519-014). }}

Here are some REXX hints and tips:

 o If you wish to place program output in the REXX queue (for processing 
   by a REXX program), try

   DIR *.TXT | RXQUEUE

   as an example.  (In other words, pipe the program output to RXQUEUE.) 
    To use this program output in your REXX program, try

   /* Sample */
   WHILE QUEUED() > 0 
   PARSE PULL X 
   SAY X 
   END

 o To execute REXX commands interactively from the command line, use the 
   REXXTRY command.  For example:

   REXXTRY DO X=1 TO 10;SAY X;END

 Related information:

 (0.2) Recent Developments 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources 
 (3.6) Multimedia (MMPM/2)

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