PC-DOS 7.0 and Rexx!
kme...@server.iadfw.net
REXX........Finally........At least I can teach this to my 6 year old instead of
trying to explain how *.BAT files work and why she can't really write a
program with them.
Anyone have any more information on what functions will be included? I haven't
seen an announcement letter,etc on this.
Thanks,
Kerry
*********************
kme...@server.iadfw.net
*********************
Rony.Fl...@wu-wien.ac.at
>Heard today from our ex-Account SE that PC-DOS 7.0 is going to include
>REXX........Finally........At least I can teach this to my 6 year old instead of
>trying to explain how *.BAT files work and why she can't really write a
>program with them.
>
>Anyone have any more information on what functions will be included? I haven't
>seen an announcement letter,etc on this.
From what I saw, it is REXXSAA 4.0 compatible (i.e. like OS/2 REXX).
---rony
Erik Mogensen
Yup! And it'll include (some of) the rexxutil functions, too!
So most OS/2 rexx-programs will work under DOS...
All we need to do now is convince software-vendors to use REXX as a
scripting language, like LiveWire and Mesa 2 and whatever...
-mogsie-
Dave Gomberg
REXX as the sample language, and is about 10th grade skill level in
reading, you might try Modern Programming Using REXX. Hopefully, no
one on this list needs to be told again how to get it! Dave
Dave Gomberg Internet: GOM...@UCSFVM.UCSF.EDU
tomb...@vnet.ibm.com
>seen an announcement letter,etc on this.
PC DOS 7 with REXX was just announced and made available yesterday...
Tom Brawn, tomb...@vnet.ibm.com
IBM Object REXX Development
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM RELEASES PC DOS 7 WITH INTEGRATED STACKER 4.0 COMPRESSION
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 1995 . . . IBM today announced PC DOS 7, the
most advanced DOS available, offering more memory and more disk space
than any previous version.
PC DOS 7 includes integrated data compression from Stac Electronics,
the leading provider of PC compression software; an extensive on-line
help system; and exclusive features designed for mobile users, such as
file synchronization, docking capabilities and the latest support from
Phoenix Technologies for PCMCIA cards.
PC DOS 7 is IBM's 14th release of industry-standard DOS and was
designed to add value and power to existing DOS and DOS/Windows
environments.
"We recognize that the world is shifting to 32-bit operating systems.
The success of OS/2 Warp has proven that," said Karl LaWall, PC DOS
worldwide brand manager, IBM Personal Software Products. "But the
millions of DOS installations around the world won't disappear or
convert overnight, and IBM is in a position to support and enrich this
environment. PC DOS 7 is the best upgrade choice for MS-DOS users who
want to enhance their DOS and DOS/Windows environments before taking
the step to a 32-bit operating system."
The product also provides a powerful new platform for developers of DOS
and Windows-based business applications and games, and for software
companies who still depend upon sales of their existing DOS-based
applications.
"WordPerfect for DOS, both versions 5.1+ and 6.0, are still selling
quite well," said Mark Calkins, vice president and general manager of
WordPerfect, a member of the Novell Applications Group. "This tells us
that the DOS market is still a viable and profitable option. IBM's PC
DOS 7 will extend that by offering increased function and benefits to
both DOS and DOS/Windows users."
More Free Memory and Space
PC DOS 7 provides users with as much as 40KB more conventional memory
than DOS version 6.x. This means there's more memory available for
Windows, games and memory-hungry applications.
IBM also has integrated Stacker 4.0 for DOS and Windows into PC DOS 7,
giving users the highest compression ratio and most disk space possible
on DOS and Windows. Stac Electronics also provides Stacker 4.0 for
OS/2, providing users with an industry-standard compression strategy
across all PC operating systems. Stacker 4.0 provides more available
disk space than other technologies, and users can easily upgrade to
PC DOS 7 from MS-DOS DoubleSpace and DriveSpace, IBM SuperStor/DS and
earlier Stacker versions without decompressing existing files.
Stacker 4.0 provides additional portability across systems with the
"Stacker Anywhere" feature, which enables the use of diskettes
containing compressed data on systems without compression software.
"IBM's decision to integrate Stac's complete DOS and Windows version of
Stacker 4.0 in PC DOS 7 will be a boon to all DOS and Windows users,"
said Gary Clow, president, Stac Electronics. "The installed base of
PCs running DOS and DOS/Windows is very large, and IBM has not forgotten
these users. Stac expects to see strong demand from the release of
PC DOS 7."
Tailor-made for the Mobile Market
PC DOS 7 has been improved for mobile computing with exclusive
features such as the File Update utility, built-in PCMCIA software and
docking support. The only DOS with built-in PCMCIA support, PC DOS 7
includes the latest PCMCIA and socket service support from Phoenix
Technologies and makes PC card setup and configuration easy with new
DOS and Windows utilities.
File Update allows mobile users to keep their work files current by
comparing files on two different computers and keeping them
synchronized. Mobile users with Plug and Play-enabled hardware can
benefit from docking support, which may eliminate the need to reboot
when a notebook is docked.
Upgrading, Pricing and Availability
PC DOS 7 upgrades any DOS version 3.3 and higher and is supported on
all IBM and IBM-compatible PCs. Customers should be able to upgrade
for less than $60. The product is now available in the United States
and other countries that sell Single Byte Character Set (SBCS) versions.
Double Byte Character Set (DBCS) versions will be available within
the first half of 1995.
IBM's Personal Software Products division, with headquarters in Austin,
Texas, is an industry leader in the development and marketing of
operating systems including PC DOS and OS/2 Warp, as well as networking
products and other advanced technologies.
###
Trademarks: OS/2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corp.
Other product names are used for information purposes only and may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
New Features in PC DOS 7
More conventional memory, allowing users to run memory-hungry
applications while maintaining complete industry-standard compatibility.
Central Point's RAMBOOST memory optimizer, offering enhanced multiple
configuration support, including CONFIG.SYS organization assistance.
Stacker 4.0 disk compression technology from Stac Electronics, giving us ers
the highest compression ratio and most disk space available.
The new File Update utility, allowing mobile users to keep their work
files current by comparing files on different computers and keeping
them synchronized.
Improved PCMCIA and socket service support from Phoenix Technologies,
making PC card setup and configuration easy with new DOS and Windows
utilities. Hot docking support, which may eliminate the need for mobile
users to reboot when a notebook is docked.
The advanced, powerful and easy-to-use REXX programming language,
allowing users to write batch programs that are portable to other
operating systems, such as OS/2 Warp.
Improved Editor, with pull-down menu, mouse and arithmetic support and
the ability to view and edit multiple files simultaneously.
A DYNALOAD command, enabling users to dynamically load device drivers
without modifying the CONFIG.SYS file and rebooting their systems.
PC DOS Viewer, offering on-line help and support to view IPF-based
documents.
An enhanced setup program, enabling mouse use during installation and
letting users view or edit changes to the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
files prior to system restart.
IBM's version of Central Point's Backup utilities for PC DOS and
Windows, which now includes enhanced tape formatting and additional
file filtering capabilities.
IBM AntiVirus, protecting against more than 2,100 common computer
viruses and detecting mutated viruses.
PenDOS support by Communication Intelligence Corp., providing
extensions that allow users to replace the mouse with a pen to launch
DOS applications.
MAD...@rohvm1.rohmhaas.com
Details are in the announcement letters on IBMLink...
Markus Pelt-Layman
are only two sentences mentioning REXX ! Amazing how little coverage
such a major event gets from IBM. Doesn't anybody care to push REXX
any better than this ? (To be fair, you can get online help for
every REXX command).
The first PC DOS release to include a major programming language to
automate your applications and it's being hidden and hushed like it's
a bad relative nobody cares to talk about. How are any users of the new
PC DOS 7.0 going to learn REXX (let alone use it) when there's not even a reference
in the manual on how to use it.
Inane, insane, IBMers of the world, wake up !
Sorry to get so emotional about this.
Signed,
Someone who cares very deeply about REXX.
*-------------------------------+--------------------------------------*
! Markus Pelt-Layman ! Tollfree voice: 1(800) 741-4322 !
! ! or outside the USA: 1(303) 442-7700 !
! PELT INDUSTRIES ! FAX: 1(303) 442-3198 !
! Software Experts ! Rexx-R-Us BBS: 1(303) 440-1351 !
! ! 8027 N. 41st Street !
! Email: PEL...@RMII.COM ! Longmont, CO 80503-8843 !
*-------------------------------+--------------------------------------*
Dave Gomberg
would be in DOS 7 till it was too late to do anything about it. There
are folks who say IBM has completely lost its marketing savvy, and sometimes
I fear they are right.
I wanted to make a special offer for Modern Programming Using REXX in the
DOS 7 box, and they had that (include a flyer) and at a price I could
afford, but they didn't tell me word one till the box had closed. Dave
Dave Gomberg, San Francisco Internet: GOM...@UCSFVM.UCSF.EDU
David Walker
: I just received PC DOS 7.0 today. Out of a 600-page User's Guide there
: are only two sentences mentioning REXX ! Amazing how little coverage
: such a major event gets from IBM. Doesn't anybody care to push REXX
: any better than this ? (To be fair, you can get online help for
: in the manual on how to use it.
: Inane, insane, IBMers of the world, wake up !
: Sorry to get so emotional about this.
: Signed,
: Someone who cares very deeply about REXX.
I agree completely! I am extremely glad that Rexx is finally included
in a release of DOS. Why have we not been told of this before? Doesn't
IBM realize how important and exciting this is? (Obviously not.) A
real example of how IBM can miss important marketing opportunities.
This should have been heralded in places such as PC Magazine for the
past several months, the way IBM's competitors trumpet the things that
they think are important in their upcoming releases. And note the failure
of IBM to allow Dave Gomberg enough warning to get a promotional tie-in
into the package. Poor planning! I care deeply about Rexx myself.
(It's a great example of how a language designed by one person, with
one vision, can be far superior to a language developed by a committee.)
I hope Rexx can become a universal scripting language for all kinds of
products. Let's hope so. Kudos to IBM for including it, and no-kudos
for not publicizing it. -- David Walker (dav...@taipan.nmsu.edu)