REBOL choice.

[GregS]

I have been working with a  company for some years now, on script based software. We have been using REXX, but ObjectREXX has followed the path of Python, adding and adding more and more obscure syntax, cluttering it up.

We are not interested in a script language that becomes a programmer's language, only useful to the full time coder.

Rather we wanted a language that empowered experienced users, enable them to evolve their own task specific applications. In short, the very application environment REBOL envisages, though we are attacking things from a slightly different angle.

Recently we were very much leaning towards LAU, having looked at REBOL some years ago, I admittedly mistook its direction as Python-like do everything scripting. That now appears to be a mistake.

The syntax of REBOL is flexible, and remarkably free form.  Why we stuck to REXX so long was that as a language it took a user some time to learn, but once learned, even if it had not been used for six months or more, only 20 minutes to get back to speed in using it.

I believe REBOL and LAU have similar attributes, which Python and ObjectREXX lack. They have plenty of power, but at the cost of simplicity - they have become programmer's languages unfit for our purposes.

REBOL and LAU both have great attributes for our purpose. But I need to ask, from experienced REBOL users and developers which of the two we should go for based on the following:

1) We need text/document layout tools for creating a large variety of Word Processor applications.

2) We would like, to be cross-platform, including PS3. Ideally running off a large USB stick.

3) Considering the "Wildman" project we have some notions re keeping files, if a filesystem is being considered, some aspects of a REBOL/xml file wrapper would be worth considering. I am not free to discuss our specific solution, but discussion on this topic would be useful.

4) Re Wildman, considering compiled code of some sort is necessary (as plugins, etc) how is porting being thought about.

Greg Schofield Perth Australia

[Gabriele]

Have you seen the REBOL 3 slides?

You may want to wait for the public release on July, then we can discuss more. I think R3's architecture fits what you need perfectly.

[GregS]

Are the slides public? If so where could I see them.

If not may I ask permission from Carl or someone, to look at them on a confidential basis. I would like to start talking to the company I am associated with about future directions, so at them moment any information would be useful.

[notchent]

Hi Greg,

Take a look at:  http://www.sahores-conseil.com/?q=node/2

[GregS]

Thanks notchent.

I was a trial listening to the feeds, sound kept dropping out. Missed the most interesting bit on the VM aspect. Picked up on the RichTextFormat "module" a language I hate but I think if it is properly REBOLed it should take the pain out of things (I hope).

Actually Carl's reference to the simple need for a word processor sounds just up my alley, if the tools are there (and RTF has most of what is needed, despite its ugly unworkable nature) then some of things we have in mind may well be possible. The devil will be in the detail as usual and waiting until July 15 (if what I heard is correct) is not too long.

Things are looking good and while I won't be discounting LAU as a contender, REBOL has a definite lead in areas I was not really thinking about before hand.

If it helps from an outsiders perspective, the application environment angle is the strongest asset, it puts some things right in the middle, that LAU would have to bring in from the outside. Hence having RTF there is sign of good logic, though how it would work I will have wait and see.

Thanks again

[Gabriele]

http://www.rebol.com/article/0335.html

[GregS]

Gabriele

Excellent, going through the material now - all looks very exciting.