Product Description

This book is recognized as the standard reference manual for the REXXProgramming Language, much as Kernighan and Ritchie is recognized as thestandard reference book for the C Programming Language.

Customer Reviews (8)

Insightful
This book does a great job of explaining the language in a manner that all can understand, and works as a fantastic reference guide.

Good REXX Book
Good book for REXX as both a reference manual and as a way to learn it.I use REXX on an IBM mainframe (batch and dialog manager) and needed this more as the reference manual than a "how to" book.

Not worth the price
I want to make it clear that this rating has nothing to do with the actual content of the book, but the book itself.For the price, it is an extreme rip off. The pages look like they went through a very bad copy machine; to the point that some were not even readable.The binding is terrible as well.I ended up returning the book, which is a shame because there are not enough good REXX books left on the market for those of us that use REXX on a daily basis.

Concise Book Written By The Creator Of Rexx
This is a great reference book for the rexx programming language.

However based on the current price I'm glad I was able to find my old copy from back in the 90's which has the original cover.

An interersting aspect of this book is the history of how the rexx language was created.It was originally distributed internally within IBM and many changes were made based on feedback from the original users.

This is a good example of how someone managed a tremendous amount of information.

The reference documentation was written before the language was actually implemented.The author felt that writing the reference documentation after the language was implemented would result in inaccurate documentation because the writer would know the implementation too well to write an objective description.

He says the following about the thousands of e-mails he received from the original users:

"All of this mail was reviewed some time after the initial correspondence in an effort to perceive trends and generalities that might not have been apparent on a day-to-day basis."

I guess this is similar to how things evolve in the unix world.
Something gets introduced on some newsgroup and then it evolves.

Anyway the end result is a relatively easy-to-understand programming language which fills a certain type of niche functionality very well.

Rexx is sort of like a scripting or command language but it has many of the same features as a full blown programming language plus some of its own unique features.

It's definitely a better alternative than batch files for working with files and issuing commands to the operating system.

good book, lousy deal
I enjoyed the book.It is very well written as a reference for the language.And it is interesting to read the motivation behind different features.I first used Rexx about 18 years ago, and I still think it's an excellent scripting language.I use the Korn shell every day, but I find it much easier to write scripts in Rexx.However, I don't think this is a good deal.[The cost] is WAY too much to spend for a xeroxed paperback copy.[Also,] it's NOT in a textbook binding... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not for experienced programmers wanting to learn REXX
I guess if I had been able to read the preface before ordering this book, or had paid closer attention to the author's "review" of it, I would have realized that this was not the book for me.It uses REXX justincidentally to its main thrust - an introduction to programming.Its useof CMS and of the XEDIT and KEDIT editors for its examples (having beenwritten 13 years ago, before REXX was as widespread as it now is) leave thereader who is looking for mainframe ISPF edit macro tips out of the pictureto a large extent. The book relies heavily on "text book"programming examples, such as sorting techniques and how to approach anassignment like writing a tic-tac-toe game.Because I was looking forsomething quite different in the book, I could not take up the intellectualchallenge of studying these examples in detail.

Response to above "criticism"
The "reviewer" above complains that Cowlishaw's cover looks a lot like ours and wonders if we stole it.The fact is that I designed the cover and that Mike liked it so well he asked permission to use it, which I(of course) granted.So there was no theft and any copying was with (my)permission.

I would not have "rated" the book, but Amazoninsisted that I must. It was the best I could do.

Why is the cover so similar to the M.F. Cowlishaw book cover
Don't know anything about this book. I'm extremely familiar with M.F. Cowlishaw's 'A Practical Approach to Programming'. I'm wondering why O'hara's and Gomberg's book has an almost identical cover. This smellsrotten. ... Read more

Product Description
This book provides a REXX tutorial combined with practical tips on programming methods and application development. Includes practical coverage of: programming for good performance; effective debugging techniques; user interface design strategies; system dependencies and interfaces; program maintenance guidelines; REXX interpreter and compiler implementations. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a basic reference source for programming in REXX - IBM's SAA procedure language. It covers all of the language details, concise examples, and solid, practical information on how to use REXX. It includes the most important REXX programming idioms, tips, and techniques to highlight the principal advantages of REXX and show readers how to get the most out of it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A handy reference for REXX
This book documents REXX from a practical perspective and has many examples and useful suggestions.It focuses on the syntax and uses of the REXX statements but does not cover EXECIO and environment-specificcommands.A good book to have close at hand.

Indispensible REXX reference!
I would reccomend this book to any serious REXX programmer.I use it daily.Good examples, and thorough explanations of REXX functions ... Read more

Product Description
ON THE DISK YOU'LL FIND:* Sample programs and data such as Hello World* A calendaring/scheduling package* Utilities to help users rebuild desktop objects, show files with archive bits, and demonstrate usage of special variables* Examples showing O-REXX with OpenDoc and WorkPlace Shell classes

Drawing from over 20 years of programming experience, leading OS/2 and LAN specialist Tom Ender covers O-REXX from the ground up. He begins with an overview and tutorial of traditional REXX and the GUI builders that facilitate REXX on OS/2. He then clearly presents the object-oriented concepts of O-REXX and the built-in classes that support implementation. He also discusses the future of O-REXX-particularly O-REXX on the Internet. You'll find* Valuable programming on debugging and WorkPlace Shell* An extensive overview of O-REXX variable types and objects* An actual calendaring and program scheduling application developed in O-REXX* A comprehensive description of native debugging tools* Coverage of OS/2 RexxUtil package as an example of a REXX utility

Whether you're an OS/2 developer and programmer, systems or LAN administrator, software developer, systems programmer, or anyone looking to develop a working ability with O-REXX, Object-Oriented Programming with REXX is the right place to start. ... Read more

Product Description

• Originally developed for mainframes but highly portable across platforms-from servers to desktops to handhelds-Rexx is an easy yet powerful scripting language that's widely used for rapid application development.
• Covers Rexx interpreters for specialized functions-object-oriented, mainframe, and handheld.
• There are 8 different free Rexx interpreters optimized for different platforms and uses. This book shows how to use them all.
• Shows how to script for GUIs, databases, web servers, XML, and other interfaces.
• Details how to make the best use of Rexx tools and interfaces, with examples for both Linux and Windows.
• Includes a tutorial with lots of examples to help people get up and running.

Customer Reviews (14)

Rexx Programmer's Reference (Programmer to Programmer)
Excellent book. I would suggest for the folks who wants to learn more about REXX programming.

Worth It
This book tries to cover as much about Rexx as possible in one book.It succeeds well considering the challenge.

PROS:Thorough coverage of the Rexx language.Lots of coding examples, good tutorial, very comprehensive reference material. Covers some special topics like interfaces, programming style, error-handling techniques, and portability issues.Includes a lot on Windows and Linux. I had fun with the section on how to program my handheld using Rexx -- yah!

CONS: Contains two-plus chapters on object Rexx, but some more advanced material would be helpful.Found some typos, but nothing important.

CONCLUSION: Just about every Rexx programmer would benefit from having a copy.

This is a Terrific Book, but it can't be used with Palm OS.
This is a good/best introduction to REXX even for me a 2 year Mainframe programmer.

My only problem was when I tried to load the book into my Palm TX. The Acrobat Reader for Palm OS doesn't recognize the encryption used on this e-book. The only solution available is to get Adobe Acrobat Professional version, but $449 bucks? I hope the 30-day trial has the function to change the "Security Method".

So, if you want this e-book to use it with your Palm OS device and don't want to buy for the professional version of Adobe Acrobat, you'd better get the papperback edition.

It doesn't work with Palm OS devices even using Adobe Professional.
This e-book doesn't work with Palm OS devices even using Adobe Professional. So, if you want to buy this e-book for reading with your Palm, you would not be able to do it.

REXXProgrammer's Reference
REXX Programmer's Reference it's VERY GOOD book,but NOT FOR
MAIFRAME programmer's (like My). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Invaluable for the Novice or Experienced REXX Programmer
I have been muddying my way through REXX for many years. I only recently discovered this book and would give anything to have discovered it 20 years ago. Thanks Gabe.

best there is
This is the definitive source of information on the topic.It is a better teaching/learning tool than Mike Colishaw's own text, and he is the "guru" who headed up the team that created REXX.If you cannot take a class in REXX, do not hesitate to pay $... for a used copy of this text. ... Read more

Product Description
REXX - IBM's SAA procedure language - is an easy programming language to learn but a difficult one to master. This book provides guidelines for implementing tracing capabilities, using editor macros, handling input arguments, setting up tables from data files, and capturing host command responses. The book provides hundreds of debugging tips and coding techniques to help programmers write efficient, powerful programmes. ... Read more

Product Description
Rudd gives readers a concise and complete source of information necessary for developing applications using REXX in an OS/2 environment. Complete, worked examples, devoid of superfluous details, make even the most complex concepts clear and easy to understand. Rudd gives a special emphasis to programming interfaces. ... Read more

Product Description
Best known initially for its mainframe applications, REXX is today included with OS/2, and is quickly gaining prominence as an exceptionally powerful and flexible language. Now, from a bestselling expert on batch files comes the first book devoted solely to the OS/2 version of REXX. Comprehensive and easy-to-follow, this much-needed guide gives readers-even those who are new to REXX-the tools to construct programs of varying levels of sophistication. The book also covers debugging, associated programs such as REXXTRY and PMREXX, the REXXUtil Dynamic Link Library, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Well Organized - Good Examples
I felt this book is organized well.

I first read 'The Rexx Language' by M.F. Cowlishaw to get the basics of the language.

Then when I read this book I got a different perspective and many examples of how to apply the language.

Basically the entire rexx language is covered so even if you haven't read any rexx books before this book should be ok.

This book is based on using rexx on os/2.I happened to have an old copy around so I read it.

I have to now move to windows and I'm not sure what's going to be the same and what's changed for the windows version of rexx.

I think there's an object oriented version of rexx available now.

My copy of this book came with a diskette that has many programs already typed in.

An excellent introduction to REXX for novice programmers.
After struggling to learn and use REXX I realized the on-line manual was not enough.After looking at several books and reading various reviews and comments I purchased Dr. Richardson's book.

Now having used REXX very intensively for nearly 2 years I am very pleased with the ground work and coverage the text provided.The inclusion of many example programs helped enormously when learning and I will still occasionally go back and look at them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Just what I needed...
I was looking for a book that provided some depth on using REXX with Dialog Manager - that showed more than just REXX code.The analysis of the code - as it gets written - helped me understand how the applications weredeveloped.

The author assumes the reader is well-versed in dialogmanager- not a book for beginners.

Not a good reference book.
The book serves well as documentation for several specific applications coded completely in REXX.Full REXX source code for a Spell Checker and a TSO PDS Member-List Processor, among other applications, are included.This book is not, however, a good general reference book ... Read more

Product Description
This text provides an intermediate to advanced guide to using VX-REXX in order to create REXX programs with a visual interface. The bundled disk includes over 20 fully functional example programs covered in the text. ... Read more

Product Description
Arranged in an easy-to-follow format, users will become proficient with REXX in just 21 day-to-day lessons and will enjoy programming in the OS/2 environment.

• Covers basic programming concepts, REXXutil Functions, creating and manipulating workplace shell objects, and extending OS/2 applications
• Provides programming examples, helpful summaries, and dozens of exercises
• Teaches users general programming fundamentals and how to better manage their OS/2 and mainframe systems

Customer Reviews (1)

By far the best book for OS/2 REXX programming ever.
I have about 4 other books on OS/2 REXX, they are either too easy, poorly written with bad illustrations or un-organized. With this book, I believe the learning curve is very smooth and the book is extremely well organized.You can read the book from front to back (really, in about a months time) and be a real expert on OS/2 REXX.Good illustrations and very simple language. The book emphasizes "hands-on" learning by not including a disk of all the programs listed in the book.This may be the only downfall of the book, but still a big thumbs up. If you're going to buy one book on OS/2 REXX programming, this is it! ... Read more

Product Description
Introduces Object REXX, a new OO language that breaks the OO barrier.Describes how to design and implement a commercial application system using object persistence in file system and relational databases, GUI builders and Internet Web pages. Paper. CD ROM included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

It's a matter of taste
This book is written as a case study, and written as if it were a screen play for a group of programmers working on a project.That approach may work for some people, but you might prefer to get a start with the ooRexx documentation available on line with the software.If you really want to decide about this book, I would suggest going to IBM's website and downloading the "Red Book" PDF. Since it's identical and free, it should give you more than enough information to decide whether a hard copy is a worthwhile purchase.

I liked it!
I use many different languages but I like REXX for its easy access to the OS.At first I thought that the story line was hokey, but after a while I enjoyed it.It provided a context for the technical detail.I applaud theauthors for their efforts (next time I'd recommend that they pilfer a moreestablished author's story line because the story was a bit weak.)Imagine"Salem's oREXX", instead of "Salem's Lot".I disagreewith the critics who panned the book.I found it well worth the money.

Total Waste of money
I can't believe they consider this a technical book on REXX.Nobody who buys this book wants a stupid story line behind what should be the technical details of programming REXX in Windows.

If you drop all thefluff, you would only have a 50 page document.If your looking for abetter reference on REXX, I suggest getting the IBM Mainframe Programmer'sDesk Reference.The Reference covers many other IBM utilities, but it doesa good job of covering the REXX commands and giving examples on how to usethem.I bought this book to learn REXX when I first started.It was avery valuable resource.I still use it often in my day - to - dayprogramming.

Far to wordy
As an experinced programmer I feel this book is far to wordy, to the point of discribing a what is going on in the class room. Frankly I can't believe this is an IBM manual do to the lack of information provided and the fluffincluded.

Has REXX Interpreter, DB2, and a Working Application
The book is aimed at someone who knows REXX. It spends a couple of chapters reviewing how classical REXX works and then starts explaining object concepts.The author uses the vehicle of a fictional software development shop developing a car dealer application. The example works well as the author adds more and more function to the application using the functions in object REXX.I have converted a couple of my REXX programs to object REXX, but have not yet taken advantage of object programming as such but I will be. The book is not a primer on REXX. Cowlishaw's and Daney's books are excellent primers and references. Unfortunately these books were written before object REXX came on the scene. ... Read more

Product Description
Use REXX and you'll no longer have to write an Assembler program to display the names of all the link-list or APF libraries. All programs and execs are ready to run under MVS/TSO and, with little or no change, under VS/CMS and OS/400. Contains complete, step-by-step installation procedures along with detailed explanations illustrating tools, techniques and tips in order to write programs and execs to solve on-the-job problems. Includes dozens of ready-to-use REXX execs. ... Read more

Product Description
About This Book

Instant productivity increases are guaranteed with this book. It shows how to use REXX with TSO, the ISPF Dialogue Manager, the ISPF Editor, Netview, DB2, SQL, and the QMF forms panels. Long on practice (short on theory), this tutorial uses interactive examples to show how to use REXX and build a library of useful EXECS and MACROS. It covers REXX in TSO, OS/2, VM, and CMS environments.

The revised edition provides more detailed information on how to get the most out of the ISPF Dialogue Manager, and includes a comprehensive quick reference guide as an appendix.

Another Book in the Wiley-QED IBM Mainframe Series

REXX: Tools and Techniques by Barry K. Nirmal. "In this book, Barry Nirmal presents a whole host of utilities that form a ready-made compendium of software to help and assist the reader and his or her colleagues in their work and to offer them an in-depth knowledge of the routines' internal workings, making it relatively simple to adapt and tailor them to the needs of individual installations.

"This book provides the programmer with ready-made solutions to real-life problems and the framework upon which to build more complex and installation-dependent routines. Everyone will find something here, whether they are after an 'off-the-shelf' solution or the seed of an idea that they can develop into something much more sophisticated."— Steve Piggott, Editor, MVS Update ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

About REXX under OS/2
The description of the book is misleading. It is not about REXX under TSO and it is not about panels.
It is about REXX on IBM's OS/2 operating system.

Mastering Os/2 Rexx
For those who want to use OS/2, this book has been of a help to me.It brought me passed a couple of hurdles which I had bogged down on.

A very good reference guide for REXX
I find that when I want to write a complex program, this book along withWriting OS/2 REXX are key.What one doesn't cover in enough detail, theother does.However, since no one is perfect, there are a few mistakes init.Example, when you are checking for the existance of a file, theexample it has shows the proper responces in reverse order(it is an if thenelse).Regardless, I still think it is an very good reference guide. ... Read more