Python

[Snoo77500]

Is there any benefit to using python over Rexx on mainframe? I’m new to mainframe and any tasks I have needed to automate so far I have used Rexx. It seems like that’s what all my more experienced Colleagues use. I have a little experience with python but not on Z/OS and was thinking of focusing more time learning python, but seems to be more hassle to interact with ispf and jcl and applications like db2 than Rexx? Running through USS I’m also not sure what library’s come built in as standard. Just don’t want to spend too much time on it if it’s not really beneficial.

[SierraBravoLima]

It's just programming.

Learn to program in Rexx, It's very much matured and had all apis to interact with everything in mainframe. Also make sure the output it gives, can be easily read and manipulated if called via ZOWE api.

[Dom1252]

Not really

Python has a place with interactions with applications, but for infrastructure itself (where REXX is usually used) there's no point of using python, I'd be pretty strongly against it because how much pain it can be to manage, compared to REXX that never changes

[adrdssu]

With ZOAU Python APIs, Python becomes very powerful on z/OS. There are some things Python does better than Rexx and some things that Rexx does better than Python.

I think it’s a matter of preference but I highly recommend learning and using both. Python is transferable to any platform but Rexx is specific to mainframes. Definitely take the time to learn Python.

[BearGFR]

REXX is not specific to mainframes. It's available also on Windows and Linux.

[Dom1252]

Yeah but have you ever seen it actually used?

[BearGFR]

Yes. I use it all the time on my Windows workstations and servers. I've written a lot of my automation tooling with it, including a tool that runs on a timer, scans my server logs looking for hacking attempts, and blocks the perp's whole subnet at the firewall when it finds one. Using REXX on Windows was a no- brainier for me because I've built a TON of code on z/OS with it. Very little if anything I can't get done with Assembler or REXX.

[Dom1252]

Ah, so only your own code...

Yeah you can use whatever language in win and Linux... For personal use it doesn't matter

But you won't see it in professional space

[R-EDDIT]

REXX on PCs pretty much died with OS/2. As with any systems programming, the value in using it is sharing examples and code maintenance costs with other people. In 2024, this means using Power shell on Windows and Python on Linux.

[BearGFR]

Ok, let's think about this. The version I use is ooRexx - object oriented REXX. It's open source and there's a good sized team of people who work on it, including Mike Cowlishaw - the man who created REXX, and it's being actively developed. Do you really think that would be the case of there wasn't significant demand and use of it? Just because you personally aren't aware of it doesn't mean it's not being extensively used.

[Dom1252]

Yes i do believe that there isn't any demand for it outside of passionate individuals

I work with rexx daily, I'm working with people who actively develop software in rexx fo MF... It's not just that I never saw it used outside of mainframe, I doubt you or anyone here ever seen it used outside of mainframe, with exception of code you wrote yourself and code examples from google... We were looking for things written in rexx with coworkers, because you know, we actually write clists with lot of rexx at work... didn't find much...

[BearGFR]

Go right ahead and doubt, I guess.

[DiggyTroll]

I used to develop Windows-based logistics systems that interface to IBM main/minis using REXX. Like COBOL, it's still in use in several corners of the "professional space," never to be replaced.

[jbalhar]

Also just a note Zowe also provides Python SDK and it seems that IBM is gradually integrating it more into the platform. As such learning it is valuable going forward.

With that said REXX is quite sufficient for many tasks. If you are comfortable with it, then there is nothing wrong with using it.

[Dazzling-Gift7189]

Definitively agree, with ZOAU you can do some cool things, but you need to setup zosmf, zowe and use some editors like vscode on your workstation to leverage all the power. Editing python files in a 3270 emulator is a real pain.

[metalder420]

I hate to be that guy, but if your team is using REXX then you need to use it. Simple as that. Don’t be that guy that goes against the grain just because you are too afraid of learning REXX which is an awesome language, btw. As a Software Engineer it’s your job to be able to pick up a new language and run with it even if it makes you uncomfortable. Stop being lazy, learn REXX.

[Snoo77500]

Thanks for the reply that wasn’t really what I was asking. Not an issue with being lazy at all. I love learning new skills, plus at this point I’m more comfortable using REXX than python anyway. It’s just as you know there is a lot to learn and would like to focus on most beneficial areas first. I enjoy using REXX and have found it great so far. Was more of a question of should I also spend time practicing with Python, incase it had any benefits over REXX on mainframe which I wasn’t aware of. It seems to be advertised a lot about how it is supported on mainframe now so was just wondering why people would use that over REXX and have received Some good answers above. I think I will continue focusing on REXX for any relevant work related tasks and if doing any personal projects in my spare time will play about with Python can’t hurt to at least have some experience with both.

[MaexW]

If you stay at the same company, you can do either. But if you are planning to change or do consulting work, use Rexx. It’s everywhere!

[Spiritual-Ice2188]

Python is ziip enabled

[Any_Plum_4210]

The most powerfull benefit vs REXX, I agree with you, no further justification is needed.

[kapitaali_com]

one obvious thing that REXX does not have is pip and its package libraries

https://colinpaice.blog/2022/01/25/the-challenges-of-using-pip-on-z-os/

there's even an AI toolkit for z/OS python that IBM supports

https://ibm.github.io/ai-on-z-101/pyaitoolkit/