Difference between revisions of "VX-REXX"
m (→Publications) |
m |
||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
VX-REXX is a highly-extensible [[REXX]] GUI development system for OS/2, it contains a core engine written in a low level language but everything else is actually written in VX-REXX itself and you can extend the system simply by writing [[SOM]] objects for it, although a more conventional [[C]] SDK was also released for it later in the form of the [[VX-REXX Object Development Kit]]. It was delivered in two versions, a standard version and a "Client/server" version that had built in support for [[SQL]] databases and support for writing front ends for other back end computer software. | VX-REXX is a highly-extensible [[REXX]] GUI development system for OS/2, it contains a core engine written in a low level language but everything else is actually written in VX-REXX itself and you can extend the system simply by writing [[SOM]] objects for it, although a more conventional [[C]] SDK was also released for it later in the form of the [[VX-REXX Object Development Kit]]. It was delivered in two versions, a standard version and a "Client/server" version that had built in support for [[SQL]] databases and support for writing front ends for other back end computer software. | ||
− | VX-REXX was originally developed by [[Watcom]] which was acquired by Powersoft in 1994, and Powersoft merged with Sybase in 1995 who discontinued the product in 1998. And Sybase itself was later bought by SAP. Despite its discontinuation the system remains one of the most popular if not the the most popular development product in day to day use for OS/2 and eComStation systems. | + | VX-REXX was originally developed by [[Watcom]] which was acquired by [[Powersoft]] in 1994, and Powersoft merged with [[Sybase]] in 1995 who discontinued the product in 1998. And Sybase itself was later bought by SAP. Despite its discontinuation the system remains one of the most popular if not the the most popular development product in day to day use for OS/2 and eComStation systems. |
====VX-REXX libraries and extensions==== | ====VX-REXX libraries and extensions==== | ||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
* 1994: VX-REXX 2.0 - latest patch level 2.0c (1994-11-11) | * 1994: VX-REXX 2.0 - latest patch level 2.0c (1994-11-11) | ||
* 1995: VX-REXX 2.1 | * 1995: VX-REXX 2.1 | ||
− | * '''Last | + | * '''Last version for OS/2''': 2.1d (1995-09-19) |
====Downloads==== | ====Downloads==== | ||
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
====Known issues==== | ====Known issues==== | ||
See: [[Bastian Märkisch]]: [[Inofficial VX-REXX buglist]] | See: [[Bastian Märkisch]]: [[Inofficial VX-REXX buglist]] | ||
+ | |||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
* [http://www.kepl.com.au/esstu/vxrexx.html VX-REXX Tips & Tricks] - From the Esstu Pack by Chris Angelico, same site also has a few programs [http://www.kepl.com.au/esstu/swindex.html written in VX-REXX] including source. | * [http://www.kepl.com.au/esstu/vxrexx.html VX-REXX Tips & Tricks] - From the Esstu Pack by Chris Angelico, same site also has a few programs [http://www.kepl.com.au/esstu/swindex.html written in VX-REXX] including source. |
Revision as of 18:19, 11 September 2017
VX-REXX is a highly-extensible REXX GUI development system for OS/2, it contains a core engine written in a low level language but everything else is actually written in VX-REXX itself and you can extend the system simply by writing SOM objects for it, although a more conventional C SDK was also released for it later in the form of the VX-REXX Object Development Kit. It was delivered in two versions, a standard version and a "Client/server" version that had built in support for SQL databases and support for writing front ends for other back end computer software.
VX-REXX was originally developed by Watcom which was acquired by Powersoft in 1994, and Powersoft merged with Sybase in 1995 who discontinued the product in 1998. And Sybase itself was later bought by SAP. Despite its discontinuation the system remains one of the most popular if not the the most popular development product in day to day use for OS/2 and eComStation systems.
Contents
VX-REXX libraries and extensions
VX-REXX code
Versions
- 06/1993: VX-REXX 1.0
- 09/1993: VX-REXX 1.01 - latest patch level 1.01c (1993-12-03)
- 1994: VX-REXX 2.0 - latest patch level 2.0c (1994-11-11)
- 1995: VX-REXX 2.1
- Last version for OS/2: 2.1d (1995-09-19)
Downloads
Known issues
See: Bastian Märkisch: Inofficial VX-REXX buglist
Links
- VX-REXX Tips & Tricks - From the Esstu Pack by Chris Angelico, same site also has a few programs written in VX-REXX including source.
- Dev - REXX - VxREXX - OS/2 Site collection of resources about VX-REXX
- List of Netlabs projects written in VX-REXX
- OS/2 Museum VX-REXX 1.00
Licence and availability
Discontinued commercial software, the company announced in April 1996 that it would no longer develop the package as the developer resources were being moved to Optima++ and 1998-03-01 withdrew the VX-REXX package from sale altogether. When the Watcom C/C++ was being open sourced into the OpenWatcom there was interest in open sourcing VX-REXX as well, however for cost reasons this proved impossible and the project was discontinued.
Publications
- WATCOM VX-REXX Programmers Guide
- WATCOM VX-REXX for OS/2 Programmer's Guide and Reference
- Ronny Richardson: Writing VX-REXX Programs - McGraw-Hill 1994, ISBN 0-07-911911-5
Local articles
- Visual REXX Faceoff by Gordon Zeglinski
- Visual REXX Faceoff - Part 1 Watcom's VX-REXX (Jun 1994)
- Visual REXX Faceoff - Part 2 Hockware's VisPro REXX/Bronze 2.0 (Jul 1994)
- Visual REXX Faceoff - Part 3 Hockware's VisPro REXX/Gold 2.03 (Oct 1994)
- Derek Clarkson: Watcom's VX-REXX version 2.1 Review
- Brian Vink: Creating Multithreaded Applications with WATCOM VX-REXX
- Enhancing VX-REXX with macros
Articles, papers and presentations
- Gabrielle Gagnon: Visual REXX tools - A comparison review for VX-REXX, GpfREXX and VisPro/REXX - PC Magazine, Jul 1996
- A review of VX-REXX 2.0 - InfoWorld 1994
- A review of VX-REXX 1.01 by PC Magazine Feb 1994
- Nicholas Peterley: VX_REXX adds client/server support: Visual enviroment is now easier to use with the second part here - InfoWorld 1994-08-08
- Eric Giguère: REXX and the OS/2 Workplace Shell
- Eric Giguère: Watcom VX REXX for OS/2 - Published as part of Proceeding of The REXX Symposium for Developer and Users May 18-20, 1993, page 34