Mainframe AppDev: Code4z Video Series, Awards, and More!
A WOW factor developer experience shines a new light on mainframe AppDev
The excitement is mind-blowing! Mainframe developers are as excited about Code4z as they have been about any technology over the past 20 years.
Why?
Zowe unlocked the door and now, with Code4z, mainframe developers can enter the world of contemporary, DevOps-powered application development with seamless access to platform resources and navigation that takes the pain out of working with large, complex applications.
The Code4z developer cockpit, built on Visual Studio Code, enables developers to bring the experience of working with cloud and mobile apps to mainframe applications.
Specific features native to VS Code, like code navigation and extensibility, deliver added value when working with large, complex mainframe applications. For example, preprocessors enable teams to extend the COBOL Language Support extension to accommodate specific dialects.
And for those currently using Eclipse, no more patches! The maintenance associated with heavy-client extensions for mainframe development can be soul-crushing. However, using lightweight VS Code, or a compatible CDE, time and cost savings add up freeing developers for more useful activities, like coding!
Code4z Video Series
For those new to Code4z, this short video provides context: Code4z Introduction
Two demo videos are available, one using Git and the other using native Endevor. Code4z with Git features VS Code’s native Git capabilities as well as CI/CD integration. This scenario is applicable for both Git native code as well as users of Endevor Bridge for Git. Code4z with Native Endevor features the Explorer for Endevor extension.
What does it look like when you add unit testing to the mix? The Unit Test for Mainframe extension, powered by Test4z, provides a seamless developer experience that includes code coverage and record/replay: Unit Test for Mainframe Video.
Feel free to share these resources with colleagues, wherever they are on their modernization journies. They’re also available on the Code4z cockpit page (code4z.broadcom.com), in the Resources section.
Awards
Congratulations to Sheree Britt of TD Bank and Vaughn Marshall of Broadcom for winning Best Session for their SHARE New Orleans presentation, “AppDev Modernization: Where Do I Start?”! By sharing their thoughts and experiences regarding mainframe development, they lift the entire community. Kudos! Now, will they be repeat winners with their SHARE Orlando presentation, “The Future of AppDev Begins with VS Code & Code4z”??? Stay tuned.
In addition, we recently learned the most-read blog on the SHARE site in 2023 was Peter Wassel’s article, “VS Code for Mainframe: Confessions of a Career ISPF Programmer”. Congratulations Peter and Ivo! The more we demonstrate that VS Code is as valuable for open-minded ISPF pros as it is for the next generation of talent, the more we can elevate team productivity.
Is Code4z really a WOW Factor experience?
Consider this quote from a Dev Tools Modernization Leader:
There is a great deal of excitement around Code4z. Whenever someone sees it, they say ‘Wow, what is that? I want it as well!’
Wow factor, literally. Another person said:
Being able to quickly search through millions of lines of code and use regular expressions for more complex searches completely changed my effectiveness as a developer and architect.
How can I champion Code4z in my organization?
If you’d like to start using Code4z, check out these two resources:
Code4z Offers Two Paths to VS Code for Mainframe
Code4z & Zowe: Championing the VS Code Opportunity
Happy coding!
