Rexx Programmer's Reference

Chapter 27. Open Object Rexx

Overview

Standard Rexx is a procedural language. In contrast, Open Object Rexx is a fully object-oriented superset of standard Rexx. With very minor exceptions, every Rexx script will run under Open Object Rexx without change. This means that all you have learned about Rexx applies directly to Open Object Rexx. Rexx developers find Open Object Rexx (or ooRexx) an easy way to leverage the power of object-oriented programming. It provides easy entry into the world of object-oriented programming, or OOP. The big benefit is that Rexx is an easy language to learn and grow with, and Open Object Rexx retains these advantages while supporting object-oriented scripting.

Since standard Rexx scripts typically run under Open Object Rexx without any changes, ooRexx makes it easy to migrate to object-oriented programming while preserving investment in traditional Rexx code. Existing code can run as is, while new programs are coded to take advantage of new object-oriented features. Developers may still code in classic, procedural Rexx while adding object-oriented features at a rate they find comfortable.

In comparison to other object-oriented languages, such as C++ or Java, Open Object Rexx emphasizes Rexx's traditional strengths in simple syntax and ease of use and combines them with power. If you have experience in other object-oriented languages, the overview in this chapter may be of interest to you so that you can see how ooRexx compares.

Leveraging Open Object Rexx ...