zOS REXX
REXX is now available on most platforms. On UNIX Regina REXX is common, on Windows
Object Oriented REXX is preferred. While these platforms support a number of
alternative scripting languages (see links) on the mainframe REXX remains supreme.
REXX is a powerful scripting language (its statements are processed at run time, albeit
tokenized versions of those statements) that can also be compiled if performance becomes a
greater issue than flexibility. A powerful scripting language can be incredibly useful for
simplifying daily chores, however, care must be taken with resources when choosing REXX for
the operational environment.
We at Synesis have experience with REXX at many levels:
- The development of numerous scripts in the various REXX available environments e.g. TSO
including ISPF, CMS including XEDIT and NetView, where the flexibility of REXX and its
powerful parsing capabilities can be put to maximum use.
- The creation of assembler written special purpose REXX functions (i.e. that can be called
from a REXX script). The combining of multiple such functions into a REXX function package.
Enabling REXX scripts to run frequently accessed routines efficiently or achieve function
not possible in standard REXX.
- The creation of a REXX interface within an existing program, the interface may include its
own functions or function package as well as the built-in REXX functions. Using a REXX
interface can reduce the skill set required to bring flexible functionality into an existing
program.