Changing the host command environment

You can change the host command environment from the default environment (REXXCICS) or from whatever environment was previously established.

To change the host command environment, use the ADDRESS instruction followed by the name of an environment.

The ADDRESS instruction has two forms; one affects only a single command, and one affects all commands issued after the instruction.
  • Single command

    When an ADDRESS instruction includes both the name of the host command environment and a command, only that command is sent to the specified environment. After the command is complete the former host command environment becomes active again.

  • All commands

    When an ADDRESS instruction includes only the name of the host command environment, all commands issued afterward within that host command environment are processed as that environment's commands.

    This ADDRESS instruction affects only the host command environment of the program that uses the instruction. If a program calls an external routine, the host command environment is the default environment regardless of the host command environment of the calling program. Upon return to the original program, the host command environment that the ADDRESS instruction previously established is resumed.

Determining the active host command environment

To find out which host command environment is currently active, use the ADDRESS built-in function. For example:
curenv = ADDRESS()

In this example, curenv is set to the active host command environment, for example, REXXCICS.