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Chapter 11. Introduction
This introductory section:
v Identifies the reference's purpose and audience
v Explains how to use the reference
v Gives an overview of product features
v Explains how to read a syntax diagram.
Who Should Read This Reference
This reference describes the CICS Transaction Server for VSE/ESA REXX Guide and Reference
Interpreter (hereafter referred to as the interpreter or language processor) and the REstructured eXtended
eXecutor (called REXX) language. This reference is intended for experienced programmers, particularly
those who have used a block-structured, high-level language (for example, PL/I, Algol, or Pascal).
Descriptions include the use and syntax of the language and how the language processor “interprets” the
language while a program is running under the REXX/CICS interpreter. The reference also describes:
v Programming services that let you interface with REXX and the language processor.
v Customizing services that let you customize REXX processing and how the language processor
accesses and uses system services, such as storage and I/O requests.
How to Use This Reference
This part of the book is a reference rather than a tutorial. It assumes you are already familiar with REXX
programming concepts. The material in this reference is arranged in chapters:
v Chapter 11, “Introduction”
v Chapter 12, “REXX General Concepts”
v Chapter 13, “Keyword Instructions” (in alphabetic order)
v Chapter 14, “Functions” (in alphabetic order)
v Chapter 15, “Parsing” (a method of dividing character strings, such as commands)
v Chapter 16, “Numbers and Arithmetic”
v Chapter 17, “Conditions and Condition Traps”
v Chapter 18, “REXX/CICS Text Editor”
v Chapter 19, “REXX/CICS File System”
v Chapter 20, “REXX/CICS List System”
v Chapter 21, “REXX/CICS Command Definition”
v Chapter 22, “REXX/CICS DB2 Interface”
v Chapter 23, “REXX/CICS High-level Client/Server Support”
v Chapter 24, “REXX/CICS Panel Facility”
v Chapter 25, “REXX/CICS Commands”
There are several appendixes covering:
v Appendix A, “Error Numbers and Messages”
v Appendix B, “Return Codes”
v Appendix C, “Double-Byte Character Set (DBCS) Support”
v Appendix D, “Reserved Keywords and Special Variables”
v Appendix E, “Debug Aids”
v Appendix F, “REXX/CICS Business Value Discussion”
v Appendix G, “System Definition/Customization/Administration”
v Appendix H, “Security”
v Appendix I, “Performance Considerations”
v Appendix J, “Basic Mapping Support Example”
© Copyright IBM Corp. 1992, 2009 103