Mainframe Training : Introduction to REXX

Introduction to REXX

Mainframe Training Overview

The class format is lecture, discussion, demonstration, and workshop.

The course starts with an introduction to programming by presenting language components, design steps, and debugging techniques.

The course uses a "model" of a programming language - REXX. The REXX programming language has been called a "programmer's programming" language; and has been extended to all IBM platforms as a quick, yet powerful programming language.

Workshop sessions are done in teams of two; using computers if available.

Mainframe Training Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, each student will be able to -

List the major elements of REXX Syntax and Programs

Communicate with a terminal

Use REXX Functions for manipulating strings

Use Stacks and Arrays to store records

Use REXX Control Structures to the flow of program logic

Write Internal & External subroutines

Read and Write files

Use TSO/E Commands

Use the REXX Trace facilities to help to "debug" REXX program code

Use the REXX Batch facility

Mainframe Training Audience

This course is for data processing personnel who must understand how programs are designed, written, and debugged REXX execs.

Mainframe Training Prerequisites

Attendees must have an understanding of data processing concepts or have completed of a course covering data processing concepts.

Mainframe Training Course duration

3 Days (with an OPTIONAL 4th day for an extended Case Study)

Mainframe Training Course outline

DAY 1
	1. Basics of REXX a. Structure of a REXX program b. Syntax - Clauses, Comments, Instructions, Commands c. Symbols, Assignments, Literals d. Arithmetic Operations e. Concatenation f. Sample Execution Errors 2. Terminal Communication a. The ARG instruction b. The PULL Instruction c. PARSing
DAY 2
	3. REXX Functions 4. Use TSO/E Commands a. Instructions - SORT, QUEUE, PUSH, PULL 5. Use Stacks and Arrays to store records 6. Use REXX Control Structures to the flow of program logic a. IF-THEN-ELSE b. DO-END, EXIT, LEAVE c. Four DOs - The Range DO, DO WHILE, DO UNTIL, DO FOREVER d. SELECT Instruction e. Examples of looping 7. Subroutines a. Internal b. External c. Passing ARGuments 8. Read and Write files
DAY 3
	9. REXX Trace facilities to help to "debug" REXX program code 10. REXX Batch facility
DAY 4 (Optional Case Study)
	11. Case Study - Building a series of programs from a design specification
Appendices
	Appendix A - Bibliography Appendix B - List of Functions Appendix C - List of TSO Commands