AREXX is a separate programming language which is included with Workbench 2. It has been carefully designed to make efficient use of the Amiga's powerful multi-tasking system. Please consult your AREXX documentation from Commodore concerning the intricacies of this language, this User Guide concerns AMOS Professional programming!. It will now be explained how AMOS Professional supports the AREXX system.
The Amiga is capable of running several different programs simultaneously. Each application can have its own memory area and separate screen window, so AMOS Professional is able to occupy your screen while a word-processor or communications package is working diligently in the background. If there is enough memory available, you may run as many programs as you like, and flick between them instantly.
AREXX allows you to achieve much more! It provides a standard communication facility between the various programs running on an Amiga, so if an event like an E-mail message happens, it can be displayed directly from AMOS Professional.
It is also possible to run one program from another by remote control. For example, a specialist word-processor could be called from AMOS Professional, and the current program listing could be passed over for immediate editing. The edited listing could then be re-loaded into AMOS Professional and tested on screen, in one operation.
In order to fully exploit these features, a lot of memory and a fast hard disc is required. Unexpanded machines will be unable to make use of these features.
Using AREXXAREXX can be called in several ways. To install it from AMOS Professional, an EXEC command can be used, as follows:
X> Exec "RexxMast"
The EXEC instruction calls up the resident MASTER process, and loads it into memory permanently. Naturally, this can only work if AREXX has been installed onto the appropriate hard disc system. Please check your Workbench 2 manual for the required procedure.
Alternatively, AREXX can be run from the CLI prompt with a REXXMAST command. This command can be inserted into your start-up sequence, so that it is run automatically whenever your Amiga is used. AREXX will now be available from your applications.
It is important to realise that not all programs can make use of the AREXX interface, and the relevant documentation should be checked before proceeding. Here is the general procedure.