If you’ve spent time on IBM platforms — especially mainframe or midrange — chances are you know Rexx. Over a million developers recognize its productivity, power, and simplicity. Nowadays, it’ll run on everything from Palm and Windows handhelds to Linux and Solaris boxes. Whether you’re refreshing your skills or learning Rexx for the first time, you’ve hit the jackpot with Rexx Programmer’s Reference.

Howard Fosdick covers all the language basics, from syntax to style, but that’s just the beginning. There’s plenty of coverage of “modern” Rexx: GUIs, web programming, SQL and XML interfaces. There’s a lengthy section on today’s most powerful Rexx tools and implementations, from Regina and Reginald to the newly open-sourced Open Object Rexx. Finally, there are references to everything from NetRexx to mainframe extended functions.

There aren’t a lot of new Rexx books out there. Fortunately, this one’s terrific.