ARexx is an interpreted programming language for IPC. Users write ARexx
``scripts'' that allow applications from different vendors to communicate by
messages. Here are some practical examples.
- A word processor invokes another vendor's spelling checker and
saves any misspelled words in a third vendor's database.
- An integrated programming/documentation environment could be
created, consisting of a text editor, compiler, debugger, LATEX,
and a DVI-file previewer, all written by different vendors.
- A non-Postscript paint program could be made to save its data in
Postscript format, by piping its output through a Postscript
converter program before it reaches the disk. This action can be
made transparent by binding it to the Save menu item.
- A telecommunications program could use ARexx as its internal
scripting language for automated uploads and downloads.
- A multimedia application could use ARexx to control a laser disc
player and a sampled-sound playback program.
Currently, there are over 140 applications that support ARexx.