Mastering Git on the IBM i: It’s not as hard as you might think!

As an IBM i developer, you’re likely familiar with the traditional source control tools available on the platform, such as PDM, SEU and Third party tools like TURNOVER, ALDON, etc. While these tools have served the IBM i community well, the rise of modern version control systems like Git has opened up new possibilities for streamlining your development workflows.

I’ve been playing, learning and embracing GIT over the last year. And, as a memory jogger for me and to hopefully help other IBM i Programmers I’m building a new training course to help IBM i developers like me, and you, harness the power of Git and integrate it seamlessly into your IBM i development processes.

Why Git for IBM i?

Git is a distributed version control system that has become the de facto standard for software development teams across industries. Its flexibility, branching capabilities, and integration with a vast ecosystem of tools make it an incredibly powerful asset for any development team.

For IBM i developers, adopting Git can provide several key benefits:

1. Improved Version Control: Git’s robust version control features allow you to track changes, revert to previous versions, and collaborate on code with greater ease than traditional IBM i source control tools.
2. Distributed Development: Git’s distributed nature enables remote and geographically dispersed teams to work together on IBM i applications, fostering better collaboration and knowledge sharing.
3. Branching and Merging: Git’s powerful branching and merging capabilities make it easier to manage complex development workflows, such as feature branches, bug fixes, and releases.
4. Integration with Modern Tools: Git integrates well with a wide range of modern development tools and platforms, allowing you to leverage the same tools and workflows used by the broader software development community.

The Training Course

This new training course on Git for IBM i is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Git concepts and their practical application in the IBM i environment.

Over the course of several sessions, you’ll learn:

1. Introduction to Git: Understand the fundamental concepts of Git, including repositories, commits, branches, and merging.
2. Git Basics on IBM i: Learn how to initialize a new Git repository, add files, commit changes, and view the commit history on your IBM i system.
3. Working with Branches: Explore Git’s branching capabilities and how to effectively manage feature development, bug fixes, and releases using branches.
4. Remote Repositories: Discover how to connect your IBM i Git repository to a remote hosting platform, such as GitHub or GitLab, and collaborate with other developers.
5. Advanced Git Concepts: Dive into more complex Git features, such as stashing, rebasing, and Git hooks, and how they can be applied to your IBM i development workflows.
6. Integrating Git with IBM i Development: Learn best practices for incorporating Git into your existing IBM i development processes, including managing IBM i-specific source code and leveraging Git with your preferred IDE or toolset.

By the end of this training course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to seamlessly integrate Git into your IBM i development processes, revolutionizing the way you manage and collaborate on your IBM i applications. Hopefully 🙂