From: "Robert Comer" 

> The original implementation of REXX was on the System/370 mainframe, which
> has decimal and string handling instructions. Even number-crunching REXX
> programs run fast there.

I never got to run it on hardware like that, but I've used it several times
over the years on Amiga's, OS/2, and still use it occasionally on the i5.
(AS/400)  It's slow but it does have its advantages.

> REXX is good for scripting, but it is a full language.

I've never used it for a full app. 

--
Bob Comer


"Don Hills"  wrote in message
news:gNq5DtgaX6tQ092yn{at}attglobal.net...
> In article ,
> "Robert Comer"  wrote:
>> ...  Don Hills told you that REXX does it more like what you're saying,
>> but
>>that language is for scripting as is extremely slow compared to what's
>>done
>>with other languages. (even more than just the interpreted vs compiled
>>idea)
>
> The original implementation of REXX was on the System/370 mainframe, which
> has decimal and string handling instructions. Even number-crunching REXX
> programs run fast there.
>
> REXX is good for scripting, but it is a full language. Some REXX programs
> in
> IBM ran to hundreds of thousands of lines. Their entire internal Forum
> service and tools (the equivalent of Usenet) were written in REXX. I've
> never bothered to learn C, whenever I've wanted to whip up a quick tool
> I've
> always used REXX.
>
> --
> Don Hills    (dmhills at attglobaldotnet)     Wellington, New Zealand
> "New interface closely resembles Presentation Manager,
> preparing you for the wonders of OS/2!"
>    -- Advertisement on the box for Microsoft Windows 2.11 for 286

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