What's new

The latest IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z version includes several changes that require migration.

• 2.7.0+
  • Improved messages to convey any required upgrades to this extension or database administration.
  • If the edit_java_class_names parameter of the wcaz-transform.yaml settings file is set to Enabled, then you can edit the Java™ class and variable names in the Java class design table.
  • When the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z service is updated, it results in a conflict between the backend database and the fronted files. Use the Refresh class design option to refresh the class designs and resolve the conflict.
  • While generating Java methods using bulk generation approach, a message box appears, indicating the progress of method generation in percentage. The application continues the method generation in the background while you can use the editor to continue working on other Java or COBOL files.
• 2.6.10+
  • Usage-based generation of utility methods: This approach generates only the necessary utility methods in Java classes based on actual usage.
  • Renaming Java variables and classes: When COBOL programs are transformed to Java, you can edit the names of Java variables and classes created during transformation. When you rename a variable, class or method, all occurrences of the variable or class within the transformed Java code are automatically renamed.
• 2.6.0+
  • Support for Project Lombok, a Java library that helps reduce boilerplate code by automatically generating commonly used methods such as getters, setters, constructors, equals(), hashCode(), and toString() through simple annotations. It improves code readability and maintainability, without impacting performance or functionality.
  • When a PIC is redefined by only one GROUP, watsonx Code Assistant for Z adopts a shared memory design instead of an inheritance-based design.
  • Addition of a new command IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z: Export support files for exporting support files related to Prepare COBOL for transformation feature.
  • Renamed Guided to Incremental generation and Bulk to Bulk generation for clearer understanding of the COBOL to Java transformation approaches.
• 2.5.0+
  • Support for static SQL using the SQLJ Java extension language. You can choose between SQLJ or the (default) JDBC code-generation for translation of COBOL EXEC SQL. Static SQL provides opportunities for improved performance and access-control of SQL queries.
  • Support for Javadoc comments for common methods produced by the Generate Classes action. These comments explain the purpose and functionality of the common methods.
  • IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z is now available in EU and US. The new endpoint for the new deployment is https://api.eu-de.dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com. At present, this endpoint does not support Code Explanation and Chat Experience.
• 2.4.20+

  • Support for Guided class generation that introduces new classes and methods on an as-needed basis allowing customers to incrementally build up a working translation, one method at a time. This approach allows generating Java classes incrementally from a single COBOL program after scanning is performed.

    It is recommended that you generate all Java methods for any stubs of methods in the Java classes before updating the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z for VS Code.

  • Support for Bulk generation of Java classes and methods. This approach allows generating all Java classes and methods by just a single click from a single COBOL program after scanning is performed.

  • Support for generation of Java code from any COBOL code within Procedure Division. Select COBOL code , right click and select watsonx Code Assistant for Z > Transform to Java.

    It is mandatory to use Z Open Editor 5.3.0 for generation of Java using this approach.

    For more information, see transform.html#generating_java_methods_without_generating_classes.

  • Support for filter operations by COBOL types in addition to Java types in the Java class design table.
  • Handling of empty data fields in Java class design table and disabling generation of Java classes for these empty fields.
  • Improvement in Java idiom for some cases involving REDEFINES of elementary COBOL items by directly converting between Java data types.
  • Support for merging compatible classes from the same copy book to include classes generated from the REDEFINES items.
  • Support for IMS EXEC DLI feature.
  • Support to edit method-naming algorithm to better align with Java terminology.
• 2.4.10+
  • Support for filter operations by Java types in the Java class Design table view.
  • Support to generate Java method from long COBOL paragraphs
  • Optimization in the number of classes generated by Generate Java classes.
  • Improvement to remove an issue where method generation for Java classes fail when it includes other methods with inline Java classes.
  • Fixed a pop-up window that was incorrectly displayed when generating Java classes in an new directory for a COBOL program where Java classes have already been generated.
  • Support for new message when the Prepare COBOL for transformation step fails to indicate a problem that is specific to metadata database initialization.
• 2.3.0+ Use the new script provided in the 2.3.0 package for executing database initialization process. For more information, see Setting up your watsonx Code Assistant for Z service in IBM Cloud.
• 2.2.0+

  The Prepare COBOL for transformation step is supported for on prem using the Cloud Pak for Data platform.

• The Transform capabilities have been moved out of Z Open Editor into the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z VS Code extension. All user settings provided for Z Open Editor will be automatically migrated when a user upgrades to the new version of Z Open Editor and Z Code Assistant. It is recommended to review all updates to all previous user settings after the installation.
• The extensions now support IBM Cloud Pak for Data as another host platform for the Z Code Assistant services. Special user settings are required for configuring such a setup. Several extensions such as Validation Assistant and Code Explanation will automatically use the same network configuration as the Z Code Assistant extension so you only have to configure once for all extensions.
• All the implementation methods are organized under a single main class as opposed to being distributed across multiple classes.
• The Java classes and instance variables are now include traceability comments that link them to their corresponding COBOL items.