Amiga REXX

This is just a brief overview of AREXX (Amiga Rexx). (I'm not even sure
it belongs here, but Jesup brought it up :-)


AREXX operates in several functions:
1.) scripting language like sh, but probably closer to perl.
2.) a built-in language like tcl
3.) multi-program communications package (?)


NOTE: there are not definite delimiters between these functions.


Basically arexx can operate like tcl except the interpreter is not built
inside thr program. It is a seperate process running concurrently.
(well.... as concurrently as possible when sharing a processor) Anyway, it
has a message port that you can send commands to. Many times this command
is to execute a rexx script. Also, your program can have its own message
port that the rexx process can send messages to. Basically, you parse out
the command and the arguments from the string you recieve at the port, and
execute a corresponding function of your program, with the associated
arguments. It's quite easy to implement and fairly straight forward. One
example of its use is to program a key in a text editor to move you down 3
lines. When the key is pressed, you can send AREXX a message to execute a
script. THis script can consist of a for loop that is executed three
times, and inside the loop is a command called down that is sent back to
the editor. THe editor recognizes that it recieved a command called down
at its port, and executes the function the move the cursor down.


I have also used REXX under os/2, but find that it lacks alot of the
features of AREXX. Rexx can also be found on IBM mainframes, and many of
the system programs are written in it. For more info, there is
comp.lang.rexx.


fell free to e-mail me for more info.


dan.
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