For decades, IBM i development was dominated by green-screen interfaces. While effective, many developers and architects sought a more modern, versatile development environment. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has emerged as a powerful alternative—free, open-source, and exceptionally flexible. This article demonstrates why VS Code is an excellent tool for IBM i developers and how to integrate it into your workflow.
Microsoft Visual Studio Code is a lightweight, open-source code editor favored by developers across industries. Its core strengths include:
Its extensibility and cross-platform compatibility make it ideal for enterprise environments.
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Select your OS and install it.
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Once installed, launch VS Code.
Before connecting VS Code to IBM i, ensure the following are configured on your system:
Adding IBM i Support with Extensions
To enable IBM i development, install the “Code for IBM i” extension:
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Open the Extensions panel (icon with four squares).
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Search for Code for IBM i.
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Once installed, a dedicated IBM i icon appears in the activity bar. If not, restart VS Code.
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Choose Connect to an IBM i or use the “+” icon.
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Enter your connection details (hostname, user profile, password).
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Click Connect. VS Code will authenticate and establish a secure SSH session.
Tip: Ensure your user profile has the necessary authorities for development activities.
IBM i Development Features in VS Code
Manage your library list dynamically: - Add libraries using the “+” button. - Reorder libraries. - Set a current library via right-click > Change Current Library.
Filter and explore objects:
- Click Create New Filter and provide: - Filter Name (any descriptive name) - Library (e.g., MYLIB) - Object (e.g., *, Q*) - Object Type (e.g., *PGM, *SRVPGM, *SRCPF) - Member (e.g., *CL, CL*ABC*) - Member Type (e.g., RPGLE, SQL*LE)
- Click Save Settings.
- Expand your filter to browse source members.
Creating New Source Members
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Navigate to the source file.
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Click “+” to create a member (e.g., MYPROGRAM.RPGLE).
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Edit using features like autocomplete.
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Right-click > Run Action > Choose appropriate compile option (e.g., Create SQL ILE RPG Program).
Note: Remote compile options are defined via .vscode/tasks.json or custom commands in the extension settings.
To compare IFS files or downloaded members: 1. Right-click a file > Compare. 2. Right-click another file > Compare Selected.
File comparison works best with IFS or downloaded source members.
Quickly open any file with: - Ctrl + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + P (Mac)
Integrated File System (IFS) Browser
VS Code provides a graphical file explorer for IBM i’s IFS: - Navigate folders visually. - Right-click files to rename, refresh, or manage shortcuts.
VS Code offers limited debugging for IBM i applications: - Debugging is supported for open-source environments or programs compiled with debug views. - STRDBG remains the primary tool for full-system interactive debug. - Use ACS or RDi in parallel if advanced breakpoints, watchpoints, or performance tuning are required.
Note: Native VS Code debug support may rely on IBMi OSS tooling or additional backend services.
Enterprise Development Workflow with VS Code
Multi-Developer Environments
Version Control and Governance
Architectural Considerations and Trade-offs
Security and Best Practices
VS Code brings a powerful, modern IDE experience to the IBM i ecosystem. From flexible debugging and seamless SSH connectivity to Git integration and object browsing, it offers a compelling upgrade over traditional green-screen tools.
For architects and senior developers, it’s more than an editor—it’s a step toward agile, enterprise-grade development. By understanding its strengths, limitations, and best-fit scenarios, organizations can empower teams to write better code, collaborate more effectively, and modernize legacy workflows.
Ready to elevate your IBM i development experience? Start with VS Code today.