Personal REXX for DOS

A portable implementation of REXX for DOS

Personal REXX for DOS is a complete implementation of the REXX programming language for personal computers running DOS. It provides uncompromising compatibility with implementations of REXX from IBM for their mission-critical OS/2, VM, MVS, and OS/400 platforms. But Personal REXX also offers a wealth of features that allow REXX to take advantage of the strengths of the personal computer environment, while overcoming its obvious limitations.

There are several principal components of Personal REXX for DOS:

The REXX language processor, which is packaged as an EXE file that can be executed as a stand-alone command or as a resident program.
Additional built-in functions included in the language processor to provide necessary operating system and file management services.
RXWINDOW, a library of REXX-callable functions for easily building text-mode window and menu style interfaces.
VM/CMS-like GLOBALV, LISTFILE, and EXECIO external commands.
Operating system extensions and commands to support a VM/CMS-like external data queue ("console stack").

Personal REXX enhances your productivity with many significant features.

The implementation of the console stack makes it possible to queue keystrokes to be passed to an application. It also provides for easily retrieving command output for use within a REXX program.
The online help system is implemented entirely with Personal REXX tools. It can be adapted to display any kind of help information you want.
All programs are compiled to an internal "object code". This aids performance, and also makes it possible to distribute only the object code if you wish to protect your source code.
All REXX capabilities are accessible through a programming interface that allows an application to use REXX as a macro language. Quercus Systems' REXXTERM and Mansfield Software's KEDIT are two applications that take advantage of this.

System services

Personal REXX for DOS provides access to a comprehesive set of DOS, BIOS, and hardware services.

Transparently invoke commands implemented as EXE, COM, or BAT files, as well as other REXX programs and internal DOS commands like COPY.
Take complete control of the DOS "environment" area - add, delete, or change environment variables, even extend important variables like PATH beyond the limits of under 128 characters allowed by DOS.
Save and retrieve data to and from REXX global variables that can persist even across computer reboots.
Parse file names and test file name validity.
Obtain a detailed list of files and subdirectories within any directory.
Create, rename, and delete files and directories. Modify file attributes, even change the file date/time stamp.
Convert date values between different formats.
Obtain information about installed hardware.
Control the PC screen directly. Write and read data and attributes at any screen location.
Place simulated keystrokes in the keyboard buffer.
Read and write I/O ports directly.

Documentation

230-page User's Guide, including an extensive language tutorial with detailed examples.
REXX Language Reference manual
Many sample programs.
Online help, implemented entirely with Personal REXX tools.

Efficient use of system resources

Memory conservation - Personal REXX has a number of strategies for utilizing the limited amount of memory available in DOS, including the use of expanded memory (EMS) and the ability to swap out the language processor in order to run large applications.
Translation step bypass - Personal REXX preproceses every program into an internal form called "object code", which can be saved on disk to avoid future need for rescanning the program.
Internal code optimization - Proprietary algorithms for variable handling, procedure calls, and avoidance of data type conversion have resulted in one of the most efficient implementations of REXX available anywhere.

Summary

Personal REXX for DOS has many advantages as a superior batch language and a general purpose personal programming language.

Personal REXX is a mature implementation of the REXX language standard that is fast, reliable, and robust.
It is fully compatible with mainframe implementations of REXX, facilitating migration of applications to more cost-effective desktop environments.
Application developers can easily add REXX as a scripting language.
The same language can be used for writing batch programs and application scripts, relieving users of the need to learn different languages for every application.
A run-time system as well as network and site licensing are available to allow wide distribution of applications written in REXX.

Ordering information

Personal REXX for DOS is available directly from Quercus Systems. It is packaged with either the Windows or OS/2 version of the product. The price for either package is $175 for one copy, with full documentation and support. Add $5 for shipping and handling in North America, and $20 for shipping elsewhere. We accept MC, VISA, AmEx, and checks for U. S. funds drawn on a U. S. bank. Call for approval of purchase orders.

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