David Crayford wrote:
>NetRexx is basically a translator that compiles REXX code into Java
>source code. That's quite unique. All the other JVM languages compile to
>byte code.

No, it's not unique in that respect. That's how EGL works, to pick an
example.

>It has nothing to do with writing user interfaces, it's about writing
>scripts. Most z/OS sysprogs do that in the TSO/ISPF environment.

OK, but my point is that a programming language (and runtime) can have an
enormous amount of business value even if it doesn't directly, specifically
help z/OS system programmers write scripts for TSO/ISPF. Java is such an
example. JavaScript (Node.js runtime), R, Swift.... There are lots of
examples, and right on z/OS, too. If what you describe is a genuine
business requirement -- I'm skeptical(*), true, but certainly not opposed!
-- then addressing the requirement for Java should automatically address it
for NetRexx.

OK then, let's knock around some more ideas for Java and NetRexx....

>> How does WebSphere Application Server for z/OS and its ISPF panels work?
>>(It works.)
>Did you mean z/OSMF?

No, I meant WebSphere Application Server for z/OS. It had product-specific
ISPF panels prior to WebSphere Application Server Version 8.0 (or prior to
Version 7.0?), for administrators to do various "Java things" to manage
WAS. I don't remember exactly why the WAS product-specific ISPF panels were
dropped in subsequent releases, but I have to assume it was because there
wasn't *enough* need for them relative to their upkeep. Anyway, I mentioned
them because maybe that particular intersection between the "ISPF world"
and the "Java world" could inspire some independent technical solutioning,
if you wish. Or maybe they're not a good example technically, but I
remember them.

(*) REXX exists, interpreted and compiled, and it's lovely. I'm all in
favor of resource efficiency. But are z/OS system programmers consuming
non-trivial peak resources running their REXX scripts in TSO/ISPF? Don't
get me wrong. I'm technically interested in this potential integration, not
opposed. At the same time I don't think NetRexx ought to be dismissed out
of hand because it doesn't currently support REXX scripts in TSO/ISPF. That
doesn't make sense to me at all.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy Sipples
IT Architect Executive, Industry Solutions, IBM z Systems, AP/GCG/MEA
E-Mail: [email protected]

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