Perhaps the question is really “Is using AI to write code, or at least using AI as a coding assistant, the Future of IBM i Development?“
Well, I reckon AI is absolutely going to be a big part of the future for IBM i development, but it‘s not (yet) able to wave a magic wand over decades of fixed-format RPG and turn everything into shiny free-format perfection overnight.
Tools like IBM BOB are already showing real promise by helping us refactor legacy code, explain what that cryptic subroutine is actually doing, and handle the boring repetitive tasks without hallucinating fake op-codes or misunderstanding our indicators. The smart move is using these AI sidekicks to let experienced developers focus on business logic, architecture, and keeping the lights on in production, rather than fighting activation groups or digging through 1990s spaghetti.
I don’t think BOB will not replace deep IBM i knowledge. Someone still needs to make sure the modernized code actually works and does not break the payroll system that has somehow kept the company running since the last century.
So yes, AI is the future, but it is a future where clever tools and grumpy old RPG programmers team up instead of one replacing the other.
Me… I said that!
Have You Tried IBM BOB for Writing IBM i Code? How Does It Compare to VS Code?
So, IBM BOB has been getting a fair bit of attention lately as IBM’s AI-powered coding partner built for the IBM i world. Claude Code, Chat GPT, CoPilot and GROK have all been my stalwart AI coding partners for the last year, but I’ve had more emails, and support tickets specifically about IBM BOB than any other topic in the last several months.
So, we all know that IBM BOB is tuned for RPG, RPGLE, SQLRPGLE, CL and the rest of our favourite languages. It helps with explaining code, refactoring, generating new stuff, and dragging legacy fixed-format monsters into something a bit more modern and maintainable. But BOB is still in its infancy and completely new territory for many AS400 and iSERIES programmers.
I have been having a play with it for various tasks, and it is genuinely impressive at understanding RPG context. It does not hallucinate fake op-codes or treat our indicators like some generic scripting language… well… most of the time!
That said, I am only one grumpy Englishman with a keyboard. Your mileage may vary.
So I want to hear from you lot.
Have you used IBM BOB to write or modernize IBM i code yet? How did it feel in real daily work? Did it save you serious time on the boring bits, or did you find yourself fighting it more than helping you?
And specifically: how does it compare to your normal VS Code setup for IBM i?
Many of us live in VS Code with the Code for IBM i extension (and whatever other extensions we have bolted on over the years). BOB brings its own AI-first approach, sometimes in its own VS Code-flavoured environment. Does the deep RPG understanding and built-in modernization smarts make it worth switching your flow, or do you prefer staying in your familiar VS Code world and just calling on AI when you need it?
I am genuinely curious. The good, the bad, the “it is great but…” comments are all welcome. Legacy support, new development, modernization projects, daily maintenance… tell us how BOB actually performed in your shop.
Would a proper video training course help?
While we are chatting, I have another question for the IBM-i community.
Is there any real appetite for a full video training course on IBM BOB?
I am thinking something practical that starts at the beginning and goes all the way through:
- Installing and configuring BOB
- Connecting it properly to your IBM i systems
- Daily workflows for RPG programming
- Using it to support and maintain legacy applications
- Modernization tasks (fixed-to-free, subprocedures, better naming, SQL refactoring, etc.)
- Training BOB on your own coding standards and shop rules
- Real-world tips, gotchas, and productivity wins
Nothing fluffy. Just solid, hands-on stuff that gets you productive quickly without having to fight the tool or guess at best practices.
If that kind of course would save you time and headaches, or if you think the community would benefit from it, I would love to know.
Head over to the new forum thread and let us know your thoughts:
Your feedback will help decide whether we put one together. No point building training nobody needs.
Drop your experiences, comparisons, and course thoughts in the forum (or comments below if you prefer). The more honest the better. Even if you have only kicked the tyres for an afternoon, that counts.
Right then. Over to you.
Happy coding (and modernizing)!
