Learn REBOL-RED with Real Code Examples

Rebol/Red allows developers to write concise and expressive code for scripting, DSLs, and application logic.

Rebol is interpreted, while Red can compile to native binaries for multiple platforms.

Commonly used for GUI apps, networking, DSLs, scripting, and cross-platform tools.

Interpreted language (Rebol) / compiled native (Red)

Series-based data structures for sequences

Rich string, block, and object manipulation

Event-driven GUI programming with Red/View

Cross-platform binary compilation (Red)

Series, blocks, and objects as core data structures

Functions (actions) and word evaluation

Rebol dialects for domain-specific programming

Event-driven GUI programming (Red/View)

Cross-platform compilation with Red

src/ - Rebol/Red source files

lib/ - optional external modules or scripts

bin/ - compiled binaries (Red)

assets/ - resources like images or data

tests/ - test scripts and validation

Write Rebol/Red scripts (.r / .red files)

Test in interpreter (Rebol) or compile to binary (Red)

Use dialects for DSL or GUI definition

Package for cross-platform distribution

Debug using console messages or Red/View debugger

Beginner: scripting and automation

Intermediate: GUI applications with Red/View

Advanced: DSL design and networked tools

Expert: cross-platform native Red applications

Enterprise: rapid prototyping of multi-platform utilities

More compact syntax than Python or Ruby

DSL-focused design unlike general-purpose languages

Red binaries are faster than Rebol interpreted scripts

Less library ecosystem than mainstream languages

Better suited for prototyping and specialized tasks

1997 – Rebol created by Carl Sassenrath

1998–2006 – Rebol 2 & 3 releases with scripting improvements

2011 – Red project started by Nenad Rakocevic

2012–2019 – Red evolves with native compilation and GUI support

2025 – Latest Red release with cross-platform binaries and enhanced libraries

Series: fundamental ordered data structure

Dialect: domain-specific mini-language

Block: collection of values or expressions

Action: function or callable

Red/View: GUI toolkit in Red for desktop apps