What's new in IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z

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Learn about what is new and changed in IBM® watsonx Code Assistant for Z.
Note: Regular releases are being developed for watsonx Code Assistant for Z. For any noncritical issues, wait for the next release for a resolution. If you face a critical issue, proceed to https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral.
Table 1. What's new or changed in watsonx Code Assistant for Z
Version Refresh date What is new or changed
2.3 October 2024
  • The following lists updates for Z Validation Assistant.
    • Menu options are consolidated under the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z extension.
    • Support for Maven projects to be used with Z Validation Assistant.
    • New ability to clear the Z Validation Assistant view.
    • New ability to unlink listing files from currently linked COBOL files.
    • New command to verify the health of a Java™ project before you run an equivalence test.
    • Improved error handling when you attempt to link a broken listing file.
  • For Eclipse development environment, IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z Code Explanation is available as an Eclipse plug-in, in addition to the existing VS Code extension. This new feature supports integration with IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz), an Eclipse based IDE, as well as IBM Explorer for z/OS.
  • For JCL, back-end service is enhanced to provide improved explanations for a broader range of z/OS programs.
  • For IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z 2.3.0, the database initialization process must be executed by using the new script that is provided in the 2.3.0 package. For more information, see Setting up your watsonx Code Assistant for Z service in IBM Cloud.
  • New features are available on Z Refactoring Assistant
    • Project Artifacts and Key Conditions views are now combined.
    • Z Refactoring Assistant generates variables in the LINKAGE SECTION for some scenarios.
2.2 September 2024
  • IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z Code Optimization Advice is available on IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z 2.3.0.
  • New features are available on Z Refactoring Assistant
    • You can now slice on any variable.
    • You can now automate the download of PSB and DBD files in IMS.
  • Code Explanation service for COBOL is available On Prem.
  • IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z Validation Assistant:
    • Added ability for canceling the process at any time during the COBOL flow.
    • Added ability to report when a job fails.
    • Added ability to report when test generation failed on a specific paragraph.
    • Consolidated the results tree views for COBOL and Java into a single view.
2.1 August 2024
  • This release contains watsonx Code Assistant for Z 2.2.0. All functionality of watsonx Code Assistant for Z Code Explanation 1.0.0 has moved into watsonx Code Assistant for Z 2.2.0.
    • You can work with Code Explanation 1.0.0 until it is uninstalled.
    • Explanation functionality within watsonx Code Assistant for Z 2.2.0 is disabled until the Code Explanation 1.0.0 extension is uninstalled.
      Note: An error message appears at startup until Code Explanation 1.0.0 is uninstalled.
  • Added Code explanation for selected JCL step within VS Code editor.

    This is a Generative AI capability that will summarize and explain a single step within a JCL job. You can generate an explanation by selecting lines within the JCL job by using the outline panel or in the editor.

  • Added IBM Z® Code Optimization Advice capability that provides detailed guidance on optimizing COBOL programs for the best performance on IBM z/OS®. For more information, refer to Optimize.
2.0 June 2024
watsonx Code Assistant for Z v2.0 is released.
  • Added support for COBOL code explanation that uses generative AI. Helps developers who are unfamiliar with code to learn what a program does to assist with coding updates or transforming to Java. For more information, see What's New. For more information on pricing, see the Support page https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7152247.
  • The Transform capabilities are moved out of Z Open Editor into the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z VS Code extension.
    Note: Install and update VS Code extensions in this order:
    1. Zowe™ Explorer
    2. Z Open Editor
    3. watsonx Code Assistant for Z
    4. Code Explanation
    5. Z Refactoring Assistant
    6. Validation Assistant
  • The extensions now support IBM Cloud Pak for Data as another host platform for the Code Assistant services. For more information, see What's new.
  • You can now run IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z fully on prem, including the large language model, watsonx.ai platform and Cloud Pak for Data, all running in an OpenShift® cluster. See Software and system requirements for details.
1.1.3 May 2024
  • Added support for preparing COBOL for transformation to Java that uses a new VS Code extension that is named IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z. For more information, see What's new in the Transform section.
1.1 February 2024
  • Added support for validating that transformed Java is semantically equivalent to COBOL through a new VS Code extension that is called watsonx Code Assistant for Z Validation Assistant. For more information, see Validate.
Z Open Editor v3.4 is released.
  • Transforming COBOL to Java by using generative AI is updated with new section Upgrading Z Open Editor from an earlier version to detail special considerations you must review before upgrading your version.
  • Replaced the COBOL-centric class generation preview with a new Java-centric presentation for IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z.
  • Updated the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z tree view to show a breakdown of method members per Java class that can be generated by the assistant's AI component.
  • Updated the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z tree view to support new workflows for reopening a saved COBOL to Java mappings and regenerating Java code.
  • Updated the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z tree view with new icons and icon decorators that visualize which Java members that are mapped from COBOL paragraphs have already been generated and which are not.
Support for version 1.0.1 is released.
  • IBM CICS TS EXEC Utility Library for Java V1.0 is added.
  • IBM CICS JCICS V2.0, the Java API for CICS is added.
1.0.1 January 2024
  • IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z in IBM Cloud is updated with new capabilities. For more information, see Release notes for watsonx Code Assistant.
  • Added the VS Code extension that is called watsonx Code Assistant for Z Z Refactoring Assistant to help COBOL Developer refactor code in the VS Code IDE. For more information, see What's new in the Refactor section.