What is REBOL?

It's about language... the enabling technology behind all technologies.

We believe that language itself, when coupled with the human mind, can gain significant productivity advantages over traditional software technologies.

Quick Facts

• REBOL stands for Relative Expression Based Object Language.
  It uses "relative expressions" (lean, domain-specific languages) to create a powerful new method of creating Internet programs, scripts, and applications,
• New users can begin immediately.
  REBOL downloads in seconds and requires no special environments or libraries. Our Quick Start Tutorial can get you started.
• REBOL 3.0 now is in development.
  A full rewrite based on what we've learned over the years. More about REBOL 3.
• REBOL is pronounced "reb-ol".
  As in rebel yell or "rebel with a cause".
• REBOL was created by Carl Sassenrath.
  The system designer known for bringing multitasking to personal computers.

Concepts

Technically speaking, REBOL is an advanced language that gains its advantage through lightweight domain-specific sublanguages and micro-formats. REBOL introduces the concept of dialecting: small, efficient, domain languages for code, data, and metadata.

• REBOL is "both-sided" technology.
  It is an integrated solution to distributed computing that works best when it runs on both the client and the server. (However, that is not a requirement you can use it on just the client or just the server.)

• REBOL provides a lightweight platform for Internet applications.
  REBOL's power makes applications small so they are less expensive to create, distribute, maintain, and upgrade. In the size of a typical web page, you can fit an entire REBOL application.
• REBOL is more than just a programming language.
  It is also a language for representing data and metadata. It provides a consistent architecture for computation, storage, and exchange of information.
• REBOL has been intentionally kept small and lightweight.
  It only takes a few seconds to download, and it requires no special libraries to run, but it includes hundreds of functions, dozens of datatypes, built-in help, multiple Internet protocols, graphics, sound, and much more.

More

• REBOL is cross-platform.
  REBOL spans more than 40 systems. A program written on Windows runs equally well on Linux, BSD, OS X, and many other platforms... with no changes necessary.
• REBOL comes in a variety of packages.
  Beginners can use the freely licensed REBOL/Core and REBOL/View packages. Professionals will find REBOL/Command and REBOL/SDK to be powerful tools.
• What do users think?
  Here is some of the feedback we've received.
• More than five million copies downloaded
  Including REBOL/Core and REBOL/View.
• Organizations large and small use REBOL
  To create Internet applications and solutions in a fraction of the normal time and cost.
• REBOL powers AltME
  A secure, lightweight, messaging and application platform created by SafeWorlds, Inc. We encourage you to give it a try.