Are you ready for a modern IBM i IDE?
Get VS-Code Connected to your IBM i Power system
I strongly suggest installing the IBM i Development Pack, this includes the core CODE for IBM i plugin plus a carefully selected collection of extensions designed to enhance or add value to Code for IBM i.
Step 1 - Install Microsoft Visual Studio Code
I'm going to download and install Visual Studio Code for Windows (it's also available for Apple Mac and Linux). Grab the latest version here
Run the installer:
That was Easy right?
You can now use VS Code for writing your program source code with all the main languages.
Sadly, IBM i Languages are not supported as standard (because we are cool niche programmers!)
So, we need to add the Code for IBM i visual studio code plugin to extend VSCODE's capability to work with IBM i Systems and act as a complete Development Environment for RPG Programmers.
Step 2 - Install Code for IBM i from the Visual Studio Marketplace
I strongly suggest installing the IBM i Development Pack, a carefully selected collection of extensions designed to enhance or add value to Code for IBM i.
This plugin adds all the main plugins needed to use Code for IBM i to the max, including database tools, Language functions, RPGLE, CL, COBOL, and more:
That's it - Now you can edit your IBM i Source Code
After installing, note the instructions are all on the right hand side. But wait!
Before diving into configurations, I suggest you review the modules within the VS-Code for IBM i Development Pack and try to understand what each one does before you get into serious editing.
Having this knowledge will help setting up your environment, config files and best practice for source structure.
The next step is to configure your IBM i Connection, setup your editing environment and enjoy your first steps into the wonderful world of IBM i for VS-Code. You will be up and running with your VS-Code IDE in no time.
How do we connect to our IBM-i System?
Let's connect our desktop IDE (visual Studio Code for IBM i) to our IBM i System. To connect to an IBM i we need to know:
IMPORTANT BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO CONNECT Code for IBM i connects to the system over SSH, so the SSH Daemon must be started on your IBM i System. From your IBM i Command line enter:
Let's Connect for the First Time
Click the IBM i icon in the side bar, click the “Connect to an IBM i” button:
Complete the IBM i Login information for system name, DNS or IP{ Address, (leave it at port 22 unless your network explicitly uses a different port) and then your IBM i User and password.
Next time you click on the IBM i icon you will see your list of defined systems. You can see my list here:
Click your system name to connect and you will see your jobs *LIBL, a selected range of libraries to work with source files (default is QSYSINC) and an Integrated File System (IFS) browser if you wish to access source code that is stored in the IFS:
Most sites store source code in Source File, even if more and more are moving to the IFS for future developments.
To access your source code, add the library and source file that you want to edit on the left-hand side.
When you click on the file name it will show all the source members and you can easily jump to the source members that you want to edit by typing in the subset:
Edit your source and dive into a clean modern code edit experience!
SEU vs Visual Studio Code
Which do you prefer?
