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IBM Open Sources Object Rexx

Posted by michael on from the verbification dept.

dryeo writes "IBM has Open Sourced Object Rexx. IBM Announcement. Source code has been turned over to The Rexx Language Association under the Common Public Licence. Rexx is an interpreted language which has been included in platforms such as the Amiga, OS/2 and AIX, and most IBM mainframes. For a quick overview check out Rexx for everyone."

4 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. More info... by jehnx · · Score: 5, Informative

    A lot more information on Rexx can be found here on IBM's website. This is the main page and has links to courses, function libraries, etc.

  2. What is Rexx? by reporter · · Score: 5, Informative
    Rexx combines the ease (in learning) of BASIC and the power of Perl.

    IBM is a traditional American company, and back in the old days, IBM managers hired people who were smart and were willing to work[1]. There are many instances of data entry clerks becoming full fledged programmers and even project managers. Rexx, which was invented by an IBMer in the 1960s (?), is a perfect match for this kind of employee. Rexx is very easy to learn. It has no pointers or references (ala Perl). At the same time, Rexx has powerful facilities for string manipulation since most Rexx programs are string-oriented applications like processing queries for a database. Every installation of OS/2 comes with Rexx.

    Rexx could actually have precluded the need for Perl if IBM had open sourced it 20 years ago.

    By the way, the inventor of Rexx became an IBM fellow.

    note
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    [1] IBM traditionally refuses to hire anyone without American citizenship. This rule was relaxed to allow the hiring of permanent residents. Nonetheless, as a matter of corporate policy, IBM managers generally do not hire people with an H-1B visa.

  3. Re:IBM's analysis to open software by Firlefanz · · Score: 5, Informative

    *cough* eclipse *cough*

  4. A short list of IBM's contributions to Open Source by leoc · · Score: 5, Informative
    This list is not complete (missing are larger things like Eclipse and Apache Derby) but it clearly includes many projects that helps competitors and that IBM formerly sold. This was obtained directly from IBM's web site:

    4758 Secure Coprocessor Driver for Linux
    This project is a Linux device driver for the IBM 4758 PCI Cryptographic Coprocessor, which is a tamper-sensing and responding, programmable PCI card. It provides a highly secure subsystem in which data processing and cryptography can be performed.

    ATM on Linux
    ATM support for Linux is currently in pre-alpha stage. There is an experimental release, which supports raw ATM connections (PVCs and SVCs), IP over ATM, LAN emulation, MPOA, Arequipa, and some other goodies.

    Abstract Machine Test Utility (AMTU) for Linux
    Abstract Machine Test Utility (AMTU) is an administrative utility that checks whether the underlying protection mechanism of the hardware is being enforced. This is a requirement of the Controlled Access Protection Profile (CAPP) FTP_AMT.1.

    Ananas Project: Summary
    This is the source for Working XML, a column on developerWorks with companion project code that demonstrates the evolution of full-fledged XML applications. This is distributed under the artistic license.

    Apache HTTP Server
    The Apache project develops and maintains an open-source HTTP server for various modern desktop and server operating systems.

    BlueHoc simulator
    BlueHoc is a tool that predicts the performance of Bluetooth wireless hardware technologies. BlueHoc simulates the baseband and link layers of the Bluetooth specification.

    COIN (Common Optimization INterface)
    Developers can use Common Optimization INterface (COIN) to build optimization solutions. IBM mathematical optimization researchers opened the code they use in finding the optimal allocation of limited resources. The code has many applications in a variety of industries.

    Channel Bonding
    The Channel Bonding project works on methods to join multiple networks on Linux into a single logical network with higher bandwidth. The project team works with the Beowulf Ethernet Channel Bonding project, where bonding work began.

    Consensus prototype
    Consensus is a joint European project carried out by six companies. The project is partially funded by the European Commission. The project goal is to provide technology to support single-authoring for mobile devices. developerWorks hosts the open source implementation developed by the Consortium. Detailed information about the project is at the Consensus Project home page (http://www.consensus-online.org).

    Content Query System (CQS) Project: Summary
    Content Query System (CQS). CQS is a distributed peer-to-peer query system for the purpose of discovering content or data. XML messages are passed between systems and query "engines" are used to access the data that is being made available on the system.

    Crypto Accelerator Driver
    Device Driver Support for the IBM eServer Cryptographic Accelerator.

    Crypto Interface Library
    Generalized Interface library for the IBM eServer Cryptographic Accelerator Device Driver. Note, this is a low level api for the Specified adapter, it is not intended to be an interface which is written to by applications. Applications should use the openCryptoki PKCS#11 api for interfacing to the token.

    Dynamic Probe Class Library (DPCL)
    DPCL is an object-based C++ class library that allows tool developers and sophisticated tool users to build parallel and serial tools using a technology called dynamic instrumentation.

    Embedded IBM PowerPC 4xx Linux Support
    This project contains packages which enable adding support for IBM PowerPC 4xx Embedded Processors to

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