NetRexx

Introduction

'''NetRexx''' is a general-purpose programming language inspired by two very different programming languages, Rexx and JavaTM. It is designed for people, not computers. In this respect it follows Rexx closely, with many of the concepts and most of the syntax taken directly from Rexx or its object-oriented version, Open Object Rexx. From Java it derives static typing, binary arithmetic, the object model, and exception handling. The resulting language not only provides the scripting capabilities and decimal arithmetic of Rexx, but also seamlessly extends to large application development with fast binary arithmetic.

The reference implementation of NetRexx produces classes for the runs on vm::Java Virtual Machine, and in so doing demonstrates the value of that concrete interface between language and machine: NetRexx classes and Java classes are entirely equivalent – NetRexx can use any Java class (and vice versa) and inherits the portability and robustness of the Java environment.

Language Objectives

The programming language NetRexx, which is derived from both Rexx and Java is intended as a dialect of Rexx that can be as efficient and portable as languages such as Java, while preserving the low threshold to learning and the ease of use of the original Rexx language.

= Open Source =

On the 8th of June 2011, IBM transferred ownership of the reference implementation of NetRexx to The Rexx Language Association (RexxLA) for administration under the ICU - International Components for Unicode open source license.

Tasks