It’s that time again! No, not the daily guessing game with the weather — typical life here in North Carolina. Not even the heartbreak of watching your football team get rocked into oblivion week after week (I’m looking at you, ECU 🥲). And no, it’s not about Pumpkin Spice Lattes either! We’re excited to announce the highly anticipated release of IBM Developer for z/OS 17.0, built on Eclipse 4.31 and powered by Java 17 is now available to download!
Don't miss out on this exciting announcement — discover all the latest features and innovations!
Very Demure, Very Fresh with Eclipse 4.31 and Java 17
With IBM Developer for z/OS 17.0, you’ll experience the latest and greatest from both Eclipse 4.31 and Java 17. Eclipse 4.31 brings improved performance, faster startup times, and smoother UI navigation, making it easier to work on large and complex projects. On top of that, Java 17 significantly boosts performance and reliability, making it the ideal platform for demanding mainframe applications. On the security front, you'll gain benefits from the inclusion of FIPS 140-3 cryptography, certified by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This certification provides enterprise-grade encryption, critical for industries like government and finance.
In addition to these major updates, several pre-packaged Eclipse tools have also been refreshed in IDz 17.0. You'll find enhancements across C/C++ Development Tooling, Java Code Coverage, Eclipse Git Integration, Language Server Protocol for Eclipse and Java, Maven Integration, TextMate, Web Tools Platform, and Wild Web Developer!
IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition (IDzEE) 17.0
I know - pretty exciting so far, right? With IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition 17.0 — an essential part of IBM Application Delivery Foundation for z/OS (ADFz) 5.0 — you'll also get these powerful tools:
If you're looking to upgrade from the base Developer for z/OS to the Enterprise Edition, we’ve got you covered. Check out this comprehensive migration guide. It walks you through everything you need to know, from updating host configuration files to enabling critical features, ensuring a smooth transition to the Enterprise Edition or ADFz.
Db2® for z/OS Development Gets a Boost
IBM Developer for z/OS 17.0 also brings some exciting enhancements to the Db2 for z/OS development tooling. Whether you're deploying external SQL stored procedures or debugging native SQL, these new functions make development smoother and more efficient:
- Deployment of external SQL stored procedures.
- Debugging native and external SQL stored procedures.
- Filtering catalog navigation results by any column type.
- Importing connection profiles from IBM Data Studio.
- Generating declarations (DCLGEN).
- A toolbar for common Db2 for z/OS actions.
- Autofill of prior parameter values when re-executing a query.
- Large object support.
- Consistent feedback from query execution when no rows are returned.
- Viewing multiple result sets returned from a query.
These updates offer developers the tools they need to streamline Db2 for z/OS development. For more detailed information, check out the full guide on Developing with Db2 for z/OS.
Streamlining Builds with Dependency Based Build and zBuilder
Major enhancements to the build process with the introduction of IBM Dependency Based Build (DBB) 3.0.0 were added to IDzEE 17.0, featuring the new zBuilder framework. This built-in framework shifts away from script-based builds to a configuration-based approach, making it easier for developers to adopt DBB and manage their builds more efficiently.
zBuilder uses YAML files for configuration, allowing developers to define Lifecycle Builds tailored to individual, team, or release needs. With sample Lifecycle Builds provided out-of-the-box, clients can quickly implement and customize build processes, significantly reducing the time required for setup and lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO). The flexibility of zBuilder lets clients choose between using the new framework, the open-source zAppBuild, or developing custom build programs using DBB's Java APIs.
To learn more about setting up and running user builds with zBuilder, check out the guide on Setting up and running a user build with zBuilder.
Editors and Remote Connection Enhancements
IBM Developer for z/OS 17.0 introduces several key improvements in editing capabilities and remote connection management:
- COBOL Parser: Now supports function prototypes, allowing you to define function names, parameters, and return values for user-defined functions or non-COBOL external functions like C functions.
- HLASM Editor: Adds support for local custom macros within local property groups, improving flexibility for high-level assembler developers.
Additionally, the Remote Connection Emulator (RCE) — redesigned in IDz 16.0.5 — has received further refinements and usability enhancements, making remote connections even smoother and more intuitive for developers.
Goodbye ZUnit, Hello IBM Test Accelerator for Z
As part of this release, ZUnit has been removed from IBM Developer for z/OS. The recommended replacement is the powerful IBM Test Accelerator for Z, a modern solution designed to enhance unit testing for z/OS applications. For more details on how to migrate to this new offering, refer to the IBM Test Accelerator for Z documentation.
Don’t Miss These Exciting Learning Opportunities and Events!
DevOps Distance Learning Program
If you're looking to sharpen your skills with IBM Developer for z/OS, the DevOps Distance Learning Program offers no-charge, instructor-led training. In addition to workshops on Code Review, Code Coverage, and DevOps integration, we’re offering a special VS Code training series! These sessions, starting on October 25th, cover everything from workspace configuration and Git integration to editing, analyzing, and debugging code using VS Code and Zowe Explorer extensions. No registration required—just follow the Getting Started Notes and join when you're ready.
Upcoming Webinar: Boost Productivity with ADFz 5.0 and the New DBB zBuilder Framework
Join us on November 13 for an exciting webinar focusing on Application Delivery Foundation for z/OS (ADFz) 5.0, which includes Java 17 support and new features for IBM Developer for z/OS. You’ll learn how ADFz accelerates development cycles, and we'll dive into how the new DBB zBuilder framework simplifies build management and lowers total cost of ownership (TCO). This session will cover the entire ADFz product suite, including IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition, Application Performance Analyzer, File Manager, and Fault Analyzer for z/OS, with a focus on integration with Eclipse and VS Code. Register Here to hear from our esteemed speakers:
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Joy Spohn
Product Manager, IBM Developer for z/OS, IBM
Joy has extensive experience in IBM Z software, hardware, development, and sales. She is an IBM DevOps Offering Manager with the mission to improve the development experience for z/OS Application Programmers. Joy has spent 8 years in Sales as the Worldwide Leader of Analytics and Linux on IBM Z. Before that, she was a manager for 13 years in IMS, Db2 z/OS, and Business Intelligence leading teams as a Release Manager, Customer Support Manager, and Product Manager. She started her career at IBM as an Assembler programmer in IMS after graduating from the University of Texas. |
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Daniel Bruce
IBM Z DevOps Senior Software Engineer and Architect, IBM
Daniel Bruce is a senior software engineer and architect for IBM Dependency Based Build (DBB). Dan has worked as a software developer with IBM for over 20 years. Prior to DBB, he worked on Rational Team Concert Enterprise Extensions (RTC-EE) as part of the z/OS build team and on Rational Business Developer (RBD/EGL) as part of the COBOL generation team. |
No-Charge Training: Enhance Your Skills!
Don’t forget to take advantage of our comprehensive, no-charge training programs. These sessions cover a range of key topics, including IBM Developer for z/OS, IBM Dependency Based Build, Cloud Native Development, and more. A must-see is the new course on IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z Fundamentals, which introduces you to this powerful tool designed to enhance development productivity. Check out the full list of available training topics and resources on the Mainframe Training Portal!
Video Series: Moving from Legacy SCM on Z to Git and Git Workflow
If you're transitioning from a legacy SCM on z/OS to Git, don’t miss our 12-video series "Day in the Life of a Mainframe Developer Using Git Workflow". This series takes you through the entire software development lifecycle—from planning changes to successfully deploying them into production on Z—demonstrating just how easy it is to navigate this transformation with Git and modern development practices.
Now I Must Go Emotionally Prepare Myself For My Alma Mater To Take The Gridiron