IBM Z batch application modernization is not a one tool process. Modernized Z batch development and testing frameworks can include many different developer, DevOps, operational, and user tools and services. This blog article considers different modernization options for IBM Z batch application development and testing.
Related reading: The Business Case for ISV Tooling and Z Modernization
Different flavors for Z batch development and testing tools
There are several IBM Z and enterprise tools available for modernized batch application development and testing. Traditional IBM Z batch developers have used green screen editors such as TSO/ISPF for development and testing. Batch developers may also use modernized product-specific editors and testing services included with JCL management solutions, such as SEA’s JCLplus+.
Experienced enterprise developers who are new to IBM Z batch development may want to use their own familiar tooling for Z batch development and testing, including Eclipse-based Integrated Development Environments (IDE’s) or Microsoft Visual Studio Code (VS Code). There are many Eclipse IDE and VS Code plug-ins available that allow developers to program IBM Z batch applications and to invoke testing services in those environments.
The following are a few options to consider when selecting modernized IBM Z batch application development and testing tools.
Related reading: Advanced Tooling for Better IBM Z Processing
Options for Z batch Eclipse-based IDE and VS Code Development
Eclipse IDE is a popular open-source, free Integrated Development Environment (IDE) project from the Eclipse Foundation. There are several Eclipse-based IDE environments that allow developers to access tools for coding, building, testing, and deploying IBM Z batch applications. Popular Eclipse-based IDEs include Eclipse IDE from the Eclipse Foundation, BMC AMI DevX Workbench for Eclipse, IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz), and Micro Focus Enterprise Developer by Open Text.
Eclipse IDE’s utilize a basic workspace and a large plug-in ecosystem for customizing an IDE environment. There are many plug-ins that provide advanced Z batch application development functionality for Eclipse-based IDEs. IBM Z Plug-ins can be located at the Eclipse Marketplace site, from Eclipse IDE vendor sites, or from other vendors who provide Eclipse-based plug-ins for IBM Z developers.
For JCLplus+ shops, the JCLplus+ Dev Plug-in extends JCL validation and run-time simulation technology to any Eclipse-based IDE. The JCLplus+ DevOps ToolChain Pack plug-in can integrate JCLplus+’s IBM Z and mainframe services inside Eclipse-based IDE’s, providing Job Scheduler integration and facilitating JCL defects analysis.
No matter what Z batch development capabilities an Eclipse-based IDE may possess, they can be enhanced with plug-ins.
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular free code editors built on open-source technology. Developed by Microsoft using the Electron framework, VS Code supports almost every major programming language. VS Code also features an Extension Marketplace where you can add additional languages, tools, debuggers, and other features to your installation.
VS Code desktops must be customized with IBM Z Marketplace extensions to code, build, test, debug, and deploy IBM Z batch applications. Many IBM Z developers use the Zowe Explorer VS Code extension that provides developer and system administration tools for z/OS systems.
Additional extensions are also available from IBM Z vendors, including SEA’s JCLplus+ DevOps ToolChain Pack that allows you to integrate JCLplus+’s IBM Z and mainframe services inside a VS Code environment. You can find an extension to meet any IBM Z batch application and testing requirement, making VS Code a flexible and versatile development environment.
Modernizing with Java Batch
IBM Z batch applications can also be modernized by incorporating and adopting a Java Batch processing framework as a complement to traditional JCL batch processing. Java Batch also allows organizations to leverage the skills of existing Java developers into batch testing and processing.
Organizations can implement Java Batch by using a Java Eclipse-based IDE plug-in such as SEA’s JSLplus+. Solutions like JSLplus+ allow you to perform the same functions for Java Batch processes as you currently perform with JCL batch processing, including syntax checking, error detection, defect elimination, and efficiency improvements.
Related reading: Why Use Java Batch for IBM Z Batch Processing? (Parts 1 and 2)
Modernizing IBM Z Batch and JCL Testing Integration
There are at least four other ways you can modernize IBM Z batch development and JCL testing services.
Many vendors (including SEA with its JCLplus+ DevOps ToolChain Pack solution) offer solutions that enable Z Batch and JCL testing services to be invoked from and integrated with other services, including:
- Cross-system testing services over multiple IBM Z systems
- RESTful Web API and CLI client interfaces for automation and integrating with legacy batch management stacks
- JCL dashboard functionality to produce Web-enabled JCL Defect Density Analysis reports from JCL OUT report data
- Java client as code: SEA’s JCLplus+ DevOps ToolChain Pack provides an innovative JCLplus-as-code solution that enables the automation and deployment of JCL testing services from a command line, using JCLplus+ technology and the YAML declarative language.
Related Reading: Simplifying JCL Testing with JCLplus-as-code
Batch Application & Testing Modernization Is for Everyone
The bottom line is that every organization or developer can choose the modern IBM Z development and testing environment, tools, and services they are most comfortable with. Please feel free to Contact SEA for more information on effective ways to modernize your IBM Z batch environment.
