Whats the importance of REXX for Developers??

softwareengineer · New User Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 25 Location: Hyderabad

Hi,

I would like to learn REXX. I am mainframes developer. Can anyone tell me the importance of it..and also tell me what it really does?

Thanks.

superk

Read this article from IBM:

http://www-306.ibm.com/software/awdtools/rexx/benefits.html

mak_tcs · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:47 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Have a look at this!!

Usage of Rexx:
Automating repetitive tasks
- Increases productivity
- Ex : Allocation of datasets for a release
- Ex : Deleting 7th char in all records of a file
Interacting with TSO/ISPF dialog manager
- to create and display custom-made panels
- can store and retrieve variables
Creating new commands
- Like TIME command, DATE can be created
For personal programming tasks
- to send a mesg to other MVS users everytime you logon

Thanks,
Mani

superk

I think that if you are well-versed in structured programming, and know the workings and commands of JCL, TSO, ISPF and EDIT macros, then it makes sense to learn and use REXX. I don't see it being used for developing a large-scale application, but it certainly has a lot of uses in automating repetitive functions, fixing data, prototyping, and developing nice, small, general-purpose utilities.

Keep in mind that REXX has been, and will continue to be, the preferred language of choice for developing automation routines. Therefore, you are likely to come across products that specifically use REXX as the underlying automation and/or configuration engine, such as: MVS Console Automation, Network Automation, Job Scheduling, JCL checkers, automated file transfer systems, etc.

new2cobol · Active User Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 70

When you hear REXX the next thing that comes into your mind is automation!!! But to tell the truth, I have never done an automation with REXX

What I basically use REXX is for Dynamic Query generation, run and Report formatting...

It took me a month to finally refine my program, but just by changing the JCL Parms, you can extract data from the given set of tables, satisfying ANY COMBINATION of conditions, Create a Report in a File, with the Formatting, ie Header, Trailer you choose!!!

Couldn't have done with COBOL or PLI with fewer lines... I LUV REXX...