1).

You need a REXX interpreter. This actually "runs" your REXX script just like Visual Basic runs a BASIC program. A free REXX interpreter for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP called "Reginald" is available. You can download it from the REXX User's web site. Reginald installs a utility that runs your REXX script called the "REXX Script Launcher". From here on, a REXX interpreter will be referred to as simply "REXX".

2).

You need a simple text editor, such as Notepad, to write your REXX scripts. (Notepad is installed as part of the Windows operating system, so you should already see it listed somewhere under your Programs menu, usually Accessories). A better choice is the freeware text editor, RexxEd, available from the above web page. It displays REXX keywords in a special color to make it easier on your eyes to read a REXX script. Plus, it has a built-in debugger to work out problems with your script, and online help that can bring up appropriate pages in this book. And it even runs REXX scripts directly from the editor (so you don't have to first save them to disk).

That is the extent of the tools/files you need. Total cost: 0 dollars. How do we ever manage to stay in business, you wonder? Well, we kidnap REXX programmers and sell them on the black market along with illegally exported super computers to foreign powers. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

The installation program for Reginald will install and setup REXX upon your computer. (You must also install RexxEd separately, if you wish to use that text editor). All you need do now is open Notepad, write a REXX script, save it to disk with a filename that ends in a .REX file extension, and double-click on that file's icon. Your script will start right up, and then you'll be able to immediately see all of the bone-headed programming mistakes you made.