(R)?ex VS Second Computer

• Simplicity
  Rex is designed to be simple and easy to use, which helps developers automate tasks without needing extensive programming knowledge.
• Flexible Deployment
  Rex allows for flexible deployment across different servers and environments, making it adaptable to various infrastructure setups.
• Extensibility
  Rex can be extended with additional modules and custom scripts, providing versatility in handling a wide range of automation tasks.
• Agent-less
  Rex does not require any agent software to be installed on remote systems, reducing the management overhead for system administrators.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Community and Support
  Compared to more popular tools, Rex has a smaller community, which can lead to limited available resources and support.
• Learning Curve
  Although simpler than some alternatives, new users may still encounter a learning curve, especially if they are unfamiliar with Perl.
• Less Comprehensive Documentation
  The available documentation for Rex may not be as comprehensive or up-to-date as that for more mainstream automation tools.
• Fewer Built-in Features
  Rex may lack some of the built-in features and integrations that other, more established automation frameworks offer out of the box.

• Enhanced Focus
  Second Computer provides a dedicated device, minimizing distractions compared to multitasking on a single computer.
• Improved Productivity
  By separating tasks across two devices, users can maintain workflow organization and potentially increase productivity.
• Simplified Workflow
  Having a second computer allows for a more streamlined workflow where users can dedicate each device to specific tasks.
• Backup Solution
  A second computer acts as a backup system, ensuring users can continue working if one device encounters issues.

Possible disadvantages

• Increased Costs
  Purchasing and maintaining a second computer can be costly, involving expenses for hardware, software, and potential repairs.
• Complex Setup
  Setting up and managing two computers can be complex, requiring time and effort to configure and synchronize data across devices.
• Space Requirements
  Having an additional computer may require more physical space, which can be a constraint in small work environments.
• Maintenance Challenges
  With two computers, there are increased maintenance demands, including software updates and hardware upkeep for both devices.

No analysis of (R)?ex yet.

• Ansible vs Fabric

  Have a look on Rex - https://rexify.org, in addition to dsl like constructs it is just pure perl. It also doesn't need any dependencies on the managed host, just perl and ssh. Source: almost 5 years ago

• Configuring netplan enabled hosts with Rex

  Since I feel that rex needs more attention, here is a small example from $work using rex. Needed to quickly reconfigure a number of Ubuntu hosts with netplan to use static ip addresses instead of DHCP. Source: over 5 years ago

Tracking Second Computer since Apr 2021.