REXX (Restructured Extended Executor) is a programming language which was developed at IBM, and several implementations are available under open source licenses. It is a structured high-level programming language which was designed to be both easy to learn and easy to read. Both commercial and open source Interpreters for REXX are available on a wide range of computing platforms, and compilers are available for IBM mainframes.
REXX Interviews are getting tough these days as the technology grows faster. To get through the REXX interview one needs to update him/herself in a regular manner. Having said that, just before the interview, it is very important to have a quick glance of the reputed REXX questions and answers to make yourself comfortable during the interview process. This is where DoAnswers.com helps you in renewing yourself on REXX and various other technologies interview preparation.
1. Can I cleanly uninstall ooRexx?
Yes!
2. Can I combine uni-REXX with a compiled language in my application? What application programming interfaces are available? For example, can I share variables between uni-REXX and a compiled language?
uni-REXX offers a complete set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). These APIs allow you to start a Rexx program from the compiled language program define new host command environments for Rexx access Rexx program variables access the Rexx program stack specify user-supplied exits terminate the Rexx program add user-defined functions that can be called by the Rexx program The uni-REXX Reference Manual contains complete documentation for all of these APIs, including examples and documentation of the control blocks used by the APIs. The uni-REXX Sample Library includes a variety of examples illustrating the use of APIs individually and in combination. The TWG Technical Support staff is also available to answer your questions.
3. Can I port my existing applications from the mainframe or OS/2? Will there be extensive changes required to do this?
In general, the answer to this question is "Yes, you can port existing applications with a minimum of modification". Only the following modifications are normally required: references to disk file names statements in your program that execute operating system commands -- The exceptions are EXECIO and GLOBALV; uni-REXX has implemented these popular mainframe commands and made them accessible from within a uni-REXX program. portions of your program that stack data for use by another, non-Rexx program after the Rexx program has completed execution -- Programs in UNIX run in individual processes, and there is no concept of a persistent stack available to all processes. The modifications required here are usually simple, and TWG Technical Support is available to provide guidance, suggestions, and sample solutions. If your Rexx program is primarily a series of operating system commands, then it may not be a good candidate for direct portation. It may be, however, that the functions it performs have reasonable counterparts in the UNIX environment and the program can be converted to execute the equivalent UNIX functions. TWG Technical Support is available to suggest alternatives for such conversions.
4. Can I redistribute ooRexx freely with commercial software?
Yes!
5. Can ooRexx run IBM Object REXX programs?
Yes!
6. Can ooRexx run normal Rexx programs?
Yes!
7. Does uni-REXX give me any capabilities designed specifically for the UNIX environment?
In addition to the standard language features, uni-REXX includes a rich set of functions designed specifically for a UNIX environment. These functions can be classified into the following categories (with examples of each shown in parentheses): environment control (CHDIR, GETENV, PUTENV, GETCWD, etc.) file and directory management (_OPENDIR, _READDIR, _STAT, etc.) process management (_GETPID, _FORK, _WAIT, _KILL, etc.) configuration management (_GETUID, _GETHOSTNAME, etc.) system error processing (_ERRNO, _SYSERRLIST) regular expression processing (_REGEX) interprocess communications (_SOCKET, _CONNECT, _SEND, _RECV, etc.) The uni-REXX Reference Manual provides detailed documentation of all of these UNIX-specific functions, including examples. The uni-REXX sample library includes an example of a client/server application written in uni-REXX. The TWG Technical Support staff is also available to answer your questions.
8. For which platforms is uni-REXX available?
uni-REXX is now available on SUN's Solaris 7/8/9, H/P's HP/UX 10/11, IBM's AIX 4/5, SGI's IRIX 5/6, NCR UNIX, Linux Intel and S/390.
9. Have you already used Rexx - even for limited purposes? Do you need to maintain a high level of productivity during your transition to UNIX?
Further, uni-REXX is very easy to use, even if your previous experience with it is limited. The syntax is very natural (English-like); there are no data types to declare; interpretive execution facilitates rapid development and debugging; and the interface to the operating system is seamless.
10. How long does the install of ooRexx take?
30 seconds or less, depending on your hardware!