Rexx Programmer's Reference

Chapter 24. Handhelds and Embedded Programming

Overview

One of the amazing features of Rexx is that it runs on computers ranging from the world's largest mainframes down to the smallest handheld devices. And it works very effectively on that wide range of computers.

This chapter takes a look at Rexx scripting on handheld computers and for embedded, or dedicated-device, programming. First, we describe exactly what handheld computers, or handhelds, are. They are categorized into groups that describe their physical characteristics and uses as well as the operating systems they run. We discuss the two major ways to program handhelds: natively and through DOS emulation. Then we talk specifically about how to program handhelds using Rexx. We discuss native programming using the example of Regina Rexx under the Symbian/EPOC32 operating system. Then we discuss running BRexx under DOS emulation using various DOS emulation products. Of course, if these terms are not clear, don't worry . . . that's the purpose of this chapter. We'll explain the different types of handhelds, the operating systems they run, and the various ways they can be programmed using Rexx.

We conclude the chapter with a discussion of embedded-device programming. Embedded programming considers software to be an integral part of the hardware, or "device." Rexx's ease of programming leads directly to the reliability that makes it a good technology for embedded programming. Software reliability is critical to embedded devices ...