Introduction

The REXX Language is now supported across a wide range of environments and platforms.

In each case REXX exploits the inherent file processing capabilities rather than have its own functions.

Operating systems catered for include: Linux, Solaris, Unix, Windows, z/OS, z/VSE and z/VM.

On z/OS REXX can be used within CICS/TS, Netview and TSO/E, but it is the latter together with VM/CMS which are the focus of this tutorial.

Main topics discussed

File allocation
Reading files into either of three repositories (STEM, Data Stack or non-STEM variable).
Writing files from either of three repositories (STEM, Data Stack or non-STEM variable).
Updating records
Skipping records
De allocating files.

The requisite IBM documentation is:

z/OS TSO/E REXX Reference Manual - for the syntax of the language
z/OS TSO/E REXX User's Guide Manual - for information on how to perform various tasks
z/OS TSO/E Command Reference - for information on file allocation / de-allocation
z/VM REXX/VM Reference Manual - for the syntax of the language
z/VM REXX/VM User's Guide Manual - for information on how to code REXX routines
z/VM CMS Commands and Utilities Reference - for information on the EXECIO command