If you are a developer working on Db2 for z/OS applications using IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz), you should be aware that the current IBM Developer for z/OS version is 16.0.x, which includes the latest and most powerful features as well as the support for Eclipse 4.23, with Java 11 and Java 17. If you are already using or planning to use this or a future version of IDz, it is a good time to learn about the new Db2 for z/OS feature that makes it easier for Db2 application development.

In the past, IBM Data Studio and Data Server Manager were the choices for Db2 for z/OS application development and administration in IDz. With the current IDz 16.0.x, the same tasks can be done within IDz which requires a single Eclipse installation, or in a unified graphical UI brought by Db2 Administration Foundation for z/OS which runs entirely or z/OS to consolidate your administrative tasks. These reduce the learning curve and the cost for the same things.

What's more, if you are more fond of working with VS Code, you can have the IBM Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension which provides language support for developing Db2 for z/OS SQL applications.

To learn more about IDz 16.0.x

• Intro in March 2023 - Simplify Db2 application development with new IDz database tooling webinar with demo, skip to min 6:08

• Update in Nov 2023 - Boost productivity with must have new features in ZUnit and Db2 Data Tooling webinar with demo, skip to min 21:52
• Read the ‘What’s New’ in the IDz documentation for features that have been added to each release.

To learn more about Db2 for z/OS Developer Extensions

• Listen to the webinar recording for more introduction and a live demo of how to do the Db2 application development task. You can also check out the IDz documentation to dive into the feature capability details (open the page and search "Db2" within it).