rexx [ -options ] -{sc} instructions [ arguments ...]
rexx [ -options ] -i [ arguments ...]
Rexx is a procedural programming language that allows programs and algorithms to be written in a clear and structured way, and it is designed to be easy to use as well as flexible. It keeps the use of special characters to a minimum to promote readability, and does not prevent the use of keywords as variables or program labels. It uses a single datatype, namely the string of characters. Rexx has been standardised by the American National Standards Institute, although the majority of interpreters are not yet fully compliant. Most interpreters do however follow the reference work `The Rexx Language' by M. F. Cowlishaw, second edition.
The interpreter documented by this manual page is from the REXX/imc package. The syntax of the Rexx language is described in other documents from that package. This manual page contains a summary of how to invoke the Rexx interpreter.
In the first form of invocation, rexx is supplied with the name of a program to execute. (Systems supporting the `#!' notation invoke interpreters this way.) If the filename parameter is omitted or is a single hyphen then the program will be read from the standard input; otherwise the program will be read from the given file. The interpreter will search for the program along the path given by the environment variable REXXPATH or (if that is not set) PATH. If filename does not contain a dot and the file `filename.rexx' can be found then it is read and executed; otherwise filename is treated as the literal name of the file to be executed.
In the second form of invocation the program is supplied as a single list of instructions following the -s or -c flags (which are equivalent). Note that this list will usually need to be supplied in quotes to stop the shell from tokenising it. The instructions will be treated just as if they had been read in from a program file.
The -i flag supplies a minimal program to the interpreter which makes it enter interactive trace mode, in which instructions may be typed in and will be executed immediately. This should be ended by typing `exit'.
The command `rexx -v' with no further arguments causes the interpreter to print its version information and exit.
Any text remaining after the flags and program name have been processed is collected up and passed to the Rexx program as a parameter string. This parameter string should not begin with a hyphen, or it will be mistaken for a flag; the exception is when the filename parameter is present: this terminates flag processing and all further text is taken to be the program's argument string.
Any keyword recognised by the Rexx OPTIONS instruction is also a valid flag for the interpreter when preceded by a hyphen. These are as follows.
See the REXX/imc language reference for more information.
See the REXX/imc language reference for specific limitations.
This software is provided on an as-is basis in the hope that it will be useful. It comes with no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and the author will not be held responsible for any damages arising out of the use of the software.