z/OS Debugger

  • 1.  I'm confused about Assembler debugging options in IDzEE and VS Code

    Posted Thu May 23, 2024 02:35 PM

    Hi.  
    I'm looking for information on how to debug Assembler and COBOL programs from an IDE.  I've used IDz some, and at least seen VS Code a bit.  I'm trying to decide which to use.

    We have ADFzEE licensed, so there will not be an additional charge for either IDz or VS Code.  

    I'm looking at this page:
    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/debug-for-zos/16.0?topic=overview-zos-debugger


    Next to "Integration with Language Editors", it lists COBOL some other languages with a footnote that says: This feature is not available in IBM Debug for z/OS

    I'm confused about this.   Is VS Code (with IBM Z Open Debug?) a better option than Eclipse/IDzEEfor developing and debugging Assembler programs?    IDz seems to have several more options--except for debugging? 

    The DB2 group seems to be preferring VS Code over IDz for replacing Data Studio.  Is the general direction for IBM development tools leaning more toward VS Code?  

    Bottom line, what do you recommend for a new hire to learn to code and debug batch and CICS Assembler programs? 

    Thanks for your help!



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    Wendell Lovewell
    Information Technology Manager
    MacKinney Systems, Inc
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  • 2.  RE: I'm confused about Assembler debugging options in IDzEE and VS Code

    Posted Tue May 28, 2024 06:15 PM

    Glad to hear you are already using the solutions and already have ADFz licences.  Debug is available in all Integrated Development Environments (IDEs).  So with ISPF (old green screen) there is Debug for z/OS. The next IDE is Eclipse, Debug is within IDz.  Debug for z/OS also runs on Eclipse, but it will not have features that comes with Integration with Language Editors, as it is running without IDz. Then with VS Code IDE there is Open Debug.  ADFz will give you access to all the options.  The choice is based on preference of individual developers.



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    Heny Tjin
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: I'm confused about Assembler debugging options in IDzEE and VS Code

    Posted Tue May 28, 2024 08:09 PM

    Hi Wendell, 

    As Heny stated in her response Debug is covered with all IDEs.  The function is not exact across IDEs as their design is different and IDz with Eclipse has been around for many years and has lots of great function.  It will take a bit of time for VS Code to catch up.  The IDE choice also depends on what your development environment can support.  For example, can your current infrastructure handle compiling, building and source code management in all the IDEs?

    As you stated Data Studio is being sunset.  The last version was compatible with IDz 15.0.x which just ended support on April 30th.  To continue to support all IDEs, IDz has implemented the Db2 Data Tooling to replace the popular functions that developers used.  Here is our documentation for more information.    And the Db2 z/OS team is building the VS Code extensions.  So, it continues to be a choice. 

    IDz has our education options on our webpage listed in the 'Resource' section.  Hope this helps. 

    PS - I like your last name, good fit with my first name :-) 



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    Joy Spohn
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    Original Message