Personal REXX for Windows

A portable implementation of REXX for Windows

Personal REXX for Windows is a version of Quercus Systems' widely respected implementation of the REXX language specifically for Microsoft Windows - 3.x, 95, and NT. It shares with other versions of Personal REXX the advantages of performance and reliability that the product has become known for, and it brings all of the features of the REXX language to the Windows graphical environment.

Personal REXX for Windows is designed as a tool for developing REXX programs, including application scripts, in the Windows environment. It is not intended for developing Windows applications, and some limitations apply when porting REXX programs from OS/2 or DOS.

There are several principal components of Personal REXX for Windows:

A window for viewing and editing program source code. This is the main window and provides for execution of the program and access to the online help.
A separate I/O window that is a virtual terminal screen in which data normally routed to standard output with SAY, LINEOUT, and CHAROUT can be displayed. Input to be read by PULL, LINEIN, and CHARIN is also entered in this window.
Configuration dialog windows that allow for viewing and modification of program options.
Online, context-sensitive help, which contains detailed information on the operation of the program and on the keywords and built-in functions of REXX.
A command environment that supports a subset of the GLOBALV command for managing system-wide "global" variables, as well as versions of the VM/CMS LISTFILE and EXECIO commands.

REXX programs can be executed in a number of different ways:

From the main window of Personal REXX, using either the memory-resident or the disk-resident copy of the program.
From Windows' Program Manager, using either its command line or an icon associated with a particular REXX program.
From Windows' File Manager, either through the Run option or through an association between certain file types and the Personal REXX language processor.
By dragging a file from the File Manager to a running Personal REXX I/O window or icon.
From REXX-aware applications that support Personal REXX as a scripting language.

Windows-specific Built-in Functions

Functions have been added to make selected features of Windows available to REXX programs.

MessageBox - for displaying a message.
QuestionBox/CancelBox - for asking yes/no or cancel questions.
ChoiceBox - for selection from a given list.
PromptBox - for prompted user input.
ProfileGet/ProfileSet - for reading and writing Windows INI files.
Spawn - for running DOS and Windows programs asynchronously.

Operating System Access

Personal REXX for Windows provides a subset of the system service functions available in Personal REXX for OS/2 and DOS.

Execute DOS or Windows programs, synchronously or asynchronously.
Create, rename, and delete files and directories.
Obtain a detailed list of files and subdirectories within any directory.
Convert date values between different formats.
Obtain information about installed hardware.
Parse file names and test file name validity.

Documentation

230-page User's Guide
REXX Language Reference manual
Personal REXX for Windows Addendum to User's Guide
Online help files

Summary

In the Windows environment, Personal REXX has many advantages as a batch language and an embeddable macro language.

Personal REXX is a mature implementation of the REXX language standard that is fast, reliable, and robust.
Application developers can easily add REXX as a scripting language because it supports the IBM OS/2 REXX standard programming interface.
A single language can be used for writing batch programs and application scripts, relieving users of the need to learn different languages for every application.
Personal REXX is compatible with OS/2 and mainframe implementations of REXX, facilitating migration of applications to more cost-effective desktop environments.
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 Windows is available directly from Quercus Systems at $175 for one copy, with full documentation and support. Personal REXX for DOS is included. Add $10 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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