Code for IBM i is part of the The IBM i Development Pack is essentially a curated bundle of extensions designed to give IBM i developers a full-featured, frictionless experience inside Visual Studio Code. Each component plays a specific role in streamlining development, debugging, and workflow management. Here's the breakdown:.
Code for IBM i transforms Visual Studio Code into a playground for IBM i applications, where developers can juggle creation, editing, and management tasks with ease, all within the cozy confines of VS Code.
Code for IBM i is part of the IBM i Development Pack.
The Code for IBM i extension provides a comprehensive set of features and tools that allow developers to work with IBM i files, databases, and programs, including:
The Code for IBM i extension is designed to provide a modern, intuitive, and flexible development environment for IBM i developers, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively.
Code for IBM i extension is open source and maintained by IBM and a team of serious IBM i propellor heads. It's available for free on the VS Code Marketplace.
Overall, the Code for IBM i extension provides a powerful and flexible development environment for IBM i developers, allowing you (and me) to work more efficiently and effectively.
Go and download it - what are you waiting for?
Why Multiple Components?
Because IBM i development isn't just one thing it spans multiple languages, tools, and workflows. The pack modularizes these needs, so you get:
Language Support
Syntax highlighting for RPGLE, COBOL, CL, and DDS via the IBMi Languages extension.
Makes your code readable and easier to navigate.
Core Development Tools
- Code for IBM i: The backbone extension that connects VS Code to your IBM i system.
- TOBi (The IBM i Object Builder): A build system that compiles only what’s needed, speeding up development.
- Source Orbit: Dependency management and Git integration for RPG/CL/DDS/SQL workflows
Project Navigation & Visualization
IBM i Project Explorer: Lets you browse and manage your IBM i files and libraries like a modern IDE.
IBM i Renderer: Helps visualize IBM i objects and their relationships.
Quality-of-Life Enhancements
Error Lens: Highlights issues inline, so you don’t have to hunt through logs.
Walkthroughs: Onboarding guides to help new users get up to speed quickly.
Now, in the next few lessons, lets look at each of these modules in a little more detail...