REXX started life as a macro-language designed to make systems programming for the IBM 370 series easier. Anyone who wrestled with JCL in the old days would have to agree that it was needed.

Subsequently, the language was extended to enable the implementation of object-oriented programming. A prime function of this book is to describe and give an elementary account of object-oriented programming as exemplified by the new features that have been added to REXX.

The elements of the language are clearly defined, with examples, and a large program for calendaring and scheduling is developed to demonstrate programming and debugging technique. This program is provided in machine format on a 3.5-inch floppy disk that is attached to the back cover of the book. Finally, Ender looks at possible future developments of REXX in the light of the emergence of the OpenDoc specification.

The book ends with a good index, but there is no bibliography, and the text does not include examples for students. It is thus not as well suited to classroom use as Turton and Wahli [1].