                           _______
                      ____|__     |
                  ---|       |    |-------------------
                     |   ____|__  |  Association of
                     |  |       |_|  Shareware
                     |__|   o   |    Professionals
                  ------|   |   |---------------------
                        |___|___|    MEMBER



                     Welcome to RExL version 2.11 !
                     ------------------------------

What is RExL ?
--------------

     RExL is  a fourth generation language  product for PC-compatible
     computers. RExL contains a dBase compatible database module with
     full  indexing capabilities,  a comprehensive  screen and  forms
     designer,  a  folding  text  editor  and  a debugger and runtime
     module.  It  is  aimed  at  people  who  want to create powerful
     applications,  with  a  consistent  user  interface,  easily and
     simply.

     RExL has  its own internal  language (with over  180 functions),
     similar  to BASIC,  which is  linked in  a unique  way with  the
     concept of  rules and logic to  make programming more intuitive.
     The  full  screen  debugger  is  based  upon  industry  standard
     products  and features  step, trace,  watch, evaluate,  animate,
     breakpoints and many more useful commands.


Why should I use RExL ?
-----------------------

     RExL  scores  over  other  applications development environments
     because of  the intimate way  in which the  editor, the language
     and the screens and forms designer are linked.

     It allows  you to use  industry compatible data  and index files
     and  to swap  information with  systems such  as Clipper, dBase,
     FoxPro  and  all  other  software  tools  adhering  to the dBase
     standard.

     There's  also  a  postfix  compiler  module  which  can  produce
     standalone DOS executable  files which run two to  four times as
     fast as interpreted code.


Why is this product distributed via shareware ?
-----------------------------------------------

     RExL  is  written  by  The   Software  Loft,  a  member  of  the
     Association of Shareware Professionals. Since RExL is shareware,
     we  do not  spend large   sums of  money promoting  our products
     through advertising. We're therefore able to keep costs down and
     to concentrate on what we do best: writing excellent software.

     We  also believe  that software  should be  sold like  any other
     commodity,  where users  can `test-drive'  something before they
     buy  it.  There's  nothing  more  maddening  than spending a few
     hundred dollars on a package before you discover that it doesn't
     do what you thought it did.

     `Try before you buy!' is the motto of the ASP.


What's in these archives :
--------------------------

     1)   REXLa211.zip:  Main RExL development system. (430k expanded)

     README.      : This file
     WHATSNEW.21  : New features in 2.1
     LICENSE.DOC  : Licensing/ordering and general information about RExL
     ORDER.FRM    : Order form
     REXL.EXE     : RExL editor
     REXLRD.EXE   : RExL runtime and debugger module
     REXL.HLP     : Online help file

     2) REXLb211.zip:  Supplementary utilities. (290k expanded)

     README.      : This file
     WHATSNEW.21  : New features in 2.1
     LICENSE.DOC  : Licensing/ordering and general information about RExL
     ORDER.FRM    : Order form

     RDU.EXE      : Standalone database file manager
     REXLPC.EXE   : RExL postfix compiler.  Generates standalone DOS .EXE
                    files from RExL applications.
     REXLRT.EXE   : Alternative to REXLPC.  Operates as a runtime module for
                    RExL applications.  (Stripped down debugger module.)
     SCRADD.EXE   : Add specified screen from one screen file to another.
     SCRLIST.EXE  : List contents of screen file
     SCRVIEW.EXE  : View screens within screen file
     SCRXTRCT.EXE : Extract screens from screen file
     SCRFIX.EXE   : Repair corrupted screen files

     3)   REXLc211.zip:  Documentation, examples, extra utils (690k expanded)

     README.      : This file
     WHATSNEW.21  : New features in 2.1
     LICENSE.DOC  : Licensing/ordering and general information about RExL
     ORDER.FRM    : Order form
     REXLREF.DOC  : Appendices to RExL manual (139 pages)
     REXLMAIN.DOC : Main RExL manual (109 pages)
     REXLSTUB.COD : Stub file required for postfix compiler.
     KBDSCAN.COM  : Keyboard scan code reporter (used with ScrGrab)
     KBDSPEED.COM : Sets keyboard repeat rate
     MI.COM       : Memory information reporting utility
     SCRGRAB.COM  : RExL screen grabbing utility
     EXAMPLES\    : Sample applications and demos directory.
                    Contains:
                    ADDRESS.BAT  : Batch file to run address book
                    ADDRESS.DBF  : Database for above
                    ADDRESS.NDX  : Index file for above
                    ADDRESS.RXL  : Simple address book application
                    ADDRESS.SCR  : Screens for above
                    GUIDE.BAT    : Batch file to run guide application
                    GUIDE.RXL    : Brief guide to RExL
                    GUIDE.SCR    : Screens for above
                    SCREENS.BAT  : Batch file to run above
                    SCREENS.RXL  : Demonstration of RExL screens
                    SCREENS.SCR  : Screen file for above
                    FUNCTEST.RXL : Examples of most RExL functions
                    FUNCTEST.SCR : Screen file for above
                    DAT.RXL      : Date printing example
                    LOGIC.RXL    : Example of rule types and logic
                    MCB.RXL      : Memory usage display application
                    TINYADDR.RXL : Tutorial version of address application
                    TINYADDR.RXL : Screen file for above

     When you copy RExL, please make sure that you copy all the files
     listed above.  Nobody gains if  they receive the  editor without
     the  runtime,  the  documentation  without  the  executables  or
     whatever!

     When you register your copy of  RExL with us, we'll send you the
     latest version of RExL  (without the registration reminders) and
     a printed and indexed manual.

     You cannot distribute applications written in RExL without being
     a registered user.

Ordering :
----------

     To order, contact:

                The Software Loft,
                Kiemar House,
                Shanakiel Road,
                Cork City,
                Ireland.

                Tel:  [+353] 21-302511
                Fax:  [+353] 21-343562

     We can also be contacted via electronic mail:

     Compuserve     : 100042,1237

     Internet/Bitnet: softloft@iruccvax.ucc.ie

     See the file LICENSE.DOC for the details on registration.

Note to users of other versions of RExL :
-----------------------------------------

     If you have used and  developed applications in versions of RExL
     other than 2.11, then your applications will have to be exported
     from the previous version  using the old executable's ASCII|Save
     file menu  option and then  reloaded into the  new version using
     the ASCII|Load  file option. This  is because of  updates to the
     internal listing format.

Finally :
---------

     Thank you for trying out RExL. We hope that it will be of use to
     you  and also  hope that  you  will  support us  so that  we can
     continue to produce upgrades and widen our product field.

                                              -- Robin Hilliard,
                                                 Head of Development,
                                                 The Software Loft.
