REXX – Coding and Execution Basics
Duration
4 hours
Overview
In this course you will discover that REXX has simple syntax and coding requirements compared to many other programming languages. You will look at the general structure of a REXX program concentrating on the types of data that can be coded. This is then wrapped around best practices, using your organization’s standards and general programming rules. Finally, you will see where and how REXX program code is stored, and the different ways it can be invoked.
Audience
Personnel responsible for writing or maintaining REXX programs.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of the Interskill REXX – Fundamentals course, or equivalent knowledge.
Objectives
After completing this course the student should be able to:
- Describe the syntax requirements for REXX
- Identify best practice REXX coding
- Save and locate REXX programs
- Identify methods used for invoking REXX programs
Course Content
REXX Coding Rules
Specifying Comments
General Formatting
Characters and Symbols
Single and Double Quotes
Continuing and Ending a Statement
Keyword Instructions
Labels
Null Clause
Command Clause
REXX Best Practice and Tips
Good Programming Habits
Organizational Standards
Comment Expectations
Code Indentation
Naming Variables
Use of Case
Issuing Host System Commands
Using Subroutines
Special Characters
Using NOP
Blank Lines and Spaces
Saving and Invoking REXX Programs
Storing REXX Programs
Implicit and Explicit Invocation
Passing Data to REXX
Invoking REXX from ISPF
Running REXX as a Macro
ISPF Panel REXX
Invoking REXX from a Batch Job
Running a REXX Program from a z/OS Shell
Running REXX from an Application Program
Executing REXX Using Zowe CLI
Benefits of Compiling REXX
Compilation Methods and Options
Compiler Listing