what about Arexx in OS4 ?

[Rogue]

Would it not have been possible to take a similar approach, and present the original ARexx runtime to emulated applications, and (for example) a regina based runtime to PPC applications? (I'm not saying thats what you should have done; just curious)

The major problem with AREXX is the way that internal data structures are handled. The interpretation of the commands itself isn't a problem. Bringing in Regina only takes care of the pure interpretation of commands. It doesn't solve the way that the interprocess communication works.

Bringing in Regina only takes care of the pure interpretation of commands. It doesn't solve the way that the interprocess communication works.

Wouldn't it be better from a marketing point of view to put the work into using another REXX implementation and solving all the IPC issues, than to provide something like Python or SHEEP as customers wouldn't need to learn another language?

[downix]

@mdna

But they'd need to learn another language anyways, as ARexx was not a
proper REXX.  I realized that after coming from OS/2 to the Amiga.
While the origin is the same, there would still be a massive learning
curve.

I think the Friedens up there did the smart thing in picking Python
for AOS4, as it does fill the same need and is far more usable.  Not
the choice I would have done, but I'm more into ORB based setups.

[zee4]

What we want to do (after 4.0) is a language-independant scripting host that can interface to different languages, including Rexx and Python.

That makes sense. I like the idea of Python-support in the future (post OS4.1?) for two reasons: 1) it's a decent language with a large following and 2) The large following means (potentually) more software for OS4 and a familier point-of-reference for people coming to AmigaOS from other platforms.

But the scripting host sounds even better, no one language is ideal for every situation. I use PHP for web development, C for porting and VP for DE development.  I really like the idea of the OS not being biased in favor of one language.

Zoltan