Microsoft IDE : Visual Studio Code for IBM i

What is the IDE called commonly known as 'VS Code'?

What is the IDE called commonly known as 'VS Code'?

Modern IBM i programmers are increasingly using Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for several reasons: 1. Flexibility and Customization : VS Code is highly customizable with a vast array of extensions that support various programming languages, including RPG, COBOL, and CL, which are commonly used on IBM i systems. 2. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Features : VS Code offers features like syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, and version control integration, which enhance productivity and make coding more efficient. 3. Open Source and Free : Unlike some other IDEs, VS Code is open-source and free, making it accessible to a wide range of developers. 4. Remote Development : With extensions like "Code for IBM i," developers can connect to their IBM i systems remotely, allowing them to edit, compile, and debug code directly from VS Code. 5. Community and Support : The active community around VS Code means there are plenty of resources, tutorials, and forums available to help developers troubleshoot issues and learn new features.

Come on now... You know the answer to this!

If you've been wrestling with code on your trusty IBM i system for years, you know the drill. Tools like IBM Rational Developer for i, or RDi as we call it, have been the go-to for serious development work. But let's chat about why Visual Studio Code, or VS Code, might just steal the spotlight in your daily grind. It's not about ditching RDi entirely, think of it as adding a sleek, modern sidekick to your toolkit. Drawing from some solid insights in the IBM community, VS Code shines as a lightweight, customizable powerhouse for IBM i coding that can make your life easier without the hefty overhead.

Code for IBM i is a powerful collection of tools and VS Code extensions that brings modern development workflows to the IBM i platform. It allows developers to build, edit, and manage IBM i applications directly inside Visual Studio Code. Code for IBM i extension delivers RPG, COBOL, and CL development. Rich language support including syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, and integrated debugging. Direct IBM i file & database access -- Browse, edit, and manage source members, streamfiles, and database objects without leaving VS Code. Compile & debug from your desktop -- Trigger compiles and step through IBM i programs using VS Code’s familiar interface. Integrated terminal -- Run IBM i commands and scripts straight from the editor. Git-friendly workflows -- Version your IBM i codebase with Git and bring your development process into the modern era.

It's time to download and install Microsoft Visual Studio Code. It's free, it's easy - let's do this.

Watch some English Bloke Download and Install Visual Studio Code for IBM i

Let’s get you sorted on finding the Node.js version on your IBM i system using QSH—don’t worry, it’s not as tricky as it sounds, even if QSH can be a bit of a grumpy old tool! Since you’re working on IBM i, Node.js runs in the PASE (Portable Application Solutions Environment), and we’ll need to poke around there to get the version info. Here’s how to do it, with a bit of humor to keep things light.

"Code for IBM i" is a set of tools and extensions for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) that enables IBM i developers to create, edit, and manage IBM i applications directly within the VS Code environment.

The IBMi Languages extension is a syntax-highlighting powerhouse tailored for IBM i developers working in Visual Studio Code

The VSCode 'RPGLE Extension' is a must-have tool for RPGLE developers looking to modernize their workflow in VS Code

The COBOL Extension is a powerhouse for COBOL developers working in Visual Studio Code especially those juggling multiple dialects across IBM i, Micro Focus, ACUCOBOL, and COBOL-IT.

The IBM CLLE extension is a sleek, no-nonsense tool that brings Control Language (CL) editing into the modern age of Visual Studio Code.

The Db2 for IBM i extension is your SQL command center inside VS Code, built to make working with Db2 databases on IBM i feel modern, visual, and efficient.

The Project Explorer in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a feature that allows you to manage and navigate your project's files and folders. It is a tree-like view of your project's directory structure, showing all the files and folders in your project.

TOBi, The Object Builder for i, is a free and open-source build system designed for the IBM i platform. It is used to create native "QSYS" objects. Developed by S4i Systems and now hosted on IBM's public GitHub, TOBi leverages GNU Make to compile only the objects that need recompiling, ensuring speed and reliability.

The IBM i Renderer extension is a nifty visual aid for developers working with DDS display and printer files. It’s still in preview, but it’s already a handy tool for bridging green-screen layouts with modern IDE workflows.

Source Orbit is a dependency management system. As IBM i developers start using git for the RPGLE, CL, DDS and SQL, we want to provide them with excellent tools to help them understand their source code. Source Orbit: scans all applicable source code to build a dependency tree can show how objects would be affected as developers write code (inside of Visual Studio Code) can generate JSON, or build scripts, to automatically build your application changes generates reports for branches being worked on so project owners can see their application in real time. helps migrate your code to git (See CLI, Cleanup capabilities)

The Error Lens extension is like turning up the contrast knob on your code diagnostics, it makes errors, warnings, and hints pop visually so you can squash bugs faster and with less squinting.

The Code for IBM i Walkthroughs extension is like a guided tour for IBM i developers stepping into the VS Code ecosystem. It’s built to onboard new users and reinforce best practices through interactive, markdown-driven walkthroughs.

Don't confuse TOBi (previously known as BOB) with IBM's Project BOB! These are two completely different things! Project Bob is IBM’s AI-powered development assistant designed to help software teams ship better code, faster. Think of it as a supercharged teammate embedded right inside your IDE one that understands your repo, your coding standards, and even your security posture.

Welcome to this video presentation on *IBM i TOBi* – The Object Builder for i If you've ever spent hours recompiling unchanged programs, fought with source physical files, or dreamed of bringing proper DevOps to your IBM i shop, you're in the right place. TOBi is the free, open-source build system that finally makes native QSYS development feel modern. Hosted on IBM's own GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license and powered by the battle-hardened GNU Make engine. Over the next 20 minutes, we'll go from zero to hero – installation, configuration, daily workflows, migration, and VS Code integration. Grab a coffee, fire up your IBM i, and let's dive in.

Git gives us Version control, Branching and merging, Distributed development, and has Seamless integration with IBM i, allowing you to work with IBM i files and databases directly within VS Code.