What's new in IBM Developer for z/OS and Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition

Version 17.0.5

IBM ZCodeScan

• IBM ZCodeScan now includes support for baseline management to help track existing findings and identify new issues introduced during development.

  For more information, see Code analysis with IBM ZCodeScan.

• Added 30 new COBOL code review rules to expand code quality analysis coverage.

  For more information, see COBOL code review.

• Added 27 new PL/I rules, including 22 code review rules and 5 security review rules, to strengthen quality and security analysis.

  For more information, see PL/I code review.

• Added support for creating custom analysis rules using COBOL Application Model (CAM) and PL/I Application Model (PAM) APIs.

  For more information, see ZCodeScan custom rules overview.

Remote Connection Emulator

• You can use headless macros to run Remote Connection Emulator macros through a WebSocket interface without opening the emulator window, helping you automate emulator tasks more efficiently.

  For more information, see Connecting to z/OS by using the Remote Connection Emulator.

• You can use the RCEMacro.exe command-line tool to convert, list, and run headless Remote Connection Emulator macros without opening the emulator window.

  For more information, see Connecting to z/OS by using the Remote Connection Emulator.

Editors

The JCL editor now supports JCL procedure (PROC) parsing, enabling navigation and preview of PROC definitions using PROCLIB libraries in both local and remote environments.

For more information, see Defining libraries for local projects and files, Defining copy, include, and macro libraries, Exporting and importing from a ZAPP file, and Opening JCL procedures.

Db2® for z/OS Development

You can enable or disable SQL content assistance in the SQL Editor with the Enable SQL Content assist preference on the Db2 for z/OS > Editors preference page.

For more information, see Creating and running SQL scripts and Defining Editor Preferences.

Version 17.0.4

IBM ZCodeScan

IBM ZCodeScan now supports PL/I in addition to COBOL, expanding its capabilities to cover more mainframe development languages. Configuration is streamlined with ZAPP profiles, allowing for global and application-specific rule overrides. This enhances flexibility and customization, improving static code analysis for mainframe applications.

For information, see Code analysis with IBM ZCodeScan.

Macro variable support

The Remote Connection Emulator now allows macros get values dynamically at run time by using an Eclipse extension. This allows macros to use values that are not embedded directly in the macro.

For information, see Connecting to z/OS by using the Remote Connection Emulator.

Dependency Based Build Integration

You can now control error feedback for DBB zBuilder user builds by using the errPrefix option in the ZAPP file. When specified, the build reports errors to the Remote Error List view.

For information, see profiles: and Setting preferences for a zBuilder user build.

Property Groups

You can use ZAPP files to generate property groups with key library and build options, while other settings remain configurable directly in property groups.

For information, see Exporting and importing from a ZAPP file.

Version 17.0.3

IBM ZCodeScan

IBM ZCodeScan is now available with IBM Developer for z/OS, as part of IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition. It enables developers to detect security vulnerabilities and perform code analysis for COBOL applications on z/OS.

For more information, see COBOL code analysis with IBM ZCodeScan.

IBM Installation Manager

Support for client installation using IBM Installation Manager is now supported on Windows. There is no support for client installation using Installation Manager on macOS.

For more information about installing the Eclipse client, see Installing the IBM Developer for z/OS client by using IBM Installation Manager.

Host connection configuration for p2 installations

You can now use a configuration file to define default z/OS® host connections for IBM Developer for z/OS clients that are installed with the p2 method.

For more information, see Host connection configuration file for p2 installations.

Dependency Based Build Integration

• Added an option to automatically overwrite existing files when re-triggering zAppBuild.

  For more information, see Setting preferences for a zAppBuild user build.

• You can now build multiple programs in the same z/OS project at once by uploading copybooks in a single zip file using the new Enable Zip upload for copybooks option. This helps speed up the process, and if needed, the system automatically reverts to the previous method of uploading copybooks one by one.

  For more information, see Starting a user build for zBuilder.

• DBB User Build now automatically selects the matching .cbl.properties or .pli.properties file for the COBOL or PL/I program you choose. This helps you avoid manually selecting the properties file.

  For more information, see Using the user build wizard (zAppBuild).

Db2 for z/OS Development

• Support for debugging external Java stored procedures is added. You can now debug Java stored procedures from .javaspsql files in Eclipse by setting breakpoints in the Java source, launching the debugger, and stepping through code execution. For more information, see Debugging external Java stored procedures.

  For information about these new functions, see Debugging Java Stored Procedures.

  Starting with release 17.0.2, the IBM Developer for z/OS tuning service features depend on IBM DB2 Accessories Suite for z/OS 4.2 with APAR PH65492.

• Support for running and debugging SQL user-defined functions (UDFs) is added. You can now run and debug compiled scalar UDFs with the .udfsql file type from the catalog, editor, project explorer, or a run/debug configuration. Debugging requires UDFs to include the VERSION parameter and have debugging enabled at deployment.

  For more information, see Running SQL User Defined Functions and Debugging SQL User Defined Functions.

• You can now activate versions of stored procedures (SPs) and user-defined functions (UDFs) that are inactive directly by using the catalog.

  For more information, see Activate Stored Procedure and UDF.

• You can now export the complete contents of CLOB and other large text columns from the Remote System Details view.

  For more information Exporting complete CLOB contents to CSV, see Creating and running SQL scripts.

• You can now specify the currentPackagePath property in profile-less tuning or in a tuning profile to define one or more collection IDs used to resolve Db2 packages.

  For more information, see Tuning SQL statements.

• The two new check-boxes, Remove Carriage Return and Line Feed Characters and Remove Tab Characters, along with the Maximum Column Width setting and Wrap Columns option, are available in the Db2 for z/OS preferences under the Display result sets as plain text in the Console view option.

  For more information, see Configuring Db2 for z/OS tooling.

• Db2 for z/OS connections now support options for password-less Multi-factor authentication (MFA) authentication, as well as an option to dynamically prompt for the user's password when needed.

  For more information, see Authenticating with the database.

Remote Connection Emulator

You can now record and play back macros in the Remote Connection Emulator within Developer for z/OS. This allows repetitive actions, such as typing and cursor movements, to be automated and reused, improving efficiency when working with the emulator.

For information, see Connecting to z/OS by using the Remote Connection Emulator.

Editors

• In COBOL, PL/I, and JCL Editors, errors CRRZI9501W and CRRZI9502W now display the line numbers of lines that exceed the maximum length and provide a post-truncation preview. The behavior in the LPEX Editor remains unchanged.

  For more information, see Messages for the z/OS Integrated Development Environment (zIDE).

• The COBOL and PL/I language parsers have been updated to support the new CICS 6.3 syntax, including OpenTelemetry, with updated content assist and keyword coloring.

  For more information, see Limitations in COBOL 6.4, CICS 6.3, PL/I 6.1, and CICS 6.1 support.

• The HLASM editor now supports Remote Custom Macros within both Remote and Local property groups.

  For more information, see Copy and macro library support in HLASM files.

• The HLASM Editor now supports z17.

Version 17.0.2

ZCodeScan

ZCodeScan is now included with IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition. It enables developers to detect security vulnerabilities and conduct in-depth static code analysis across COBOL and other z/OS application types, helping improve code quality and compliance earlier in the development cycle. For more information, see ZCodeScan Overview.

Java™ 21 Support

The product client now comes officially packaged and distributed with Java 21.

Property Groups

In IBM Developer for z/OS version 17.0.2, the limitation that existed in version 17.0.1 has been resolved. If the Include and Procedure Search Libraries field in the Remote JCL property group is left blank, the JCL editor now recognizes include members defined with a JCLLIB ORDER statement in the JCL file.

For information, see Opening an include member.

Editors

The COBOL and PL/I language parsers are updated to support syntax checking, highlighting, and content assistance for new programming language statements and keywords. The following updates are included to maintain programming language currency:

• Enterprise COBOL for z/OS: Support for version 6.5
• Enterprise PL/I for z/OS: Support for version 6.2

Remote Preprocessor Support for Local Files

You can now configure and run a remote preprocessor (REXX or CLIST-based) on a z Systems® for local COBOL or PL/I files within Developer for z/OS. This allows local source files to be preprocessed remotely using z Systems® capabilities before being compiled.

For information, see Using a Remote Preprocessor with Local Files.

Remote Connection Emulator

A new Hotspot setting that allows one to click on areas of the terminal screen to interact with fields, menus, actions, options, etc., using the mouse.

Dependency Based Build Integration

To improve responsiveness when opening the DBB User Build wizard for projects with many copybooks, cached copybook data is now used. A new option allows manual reloading of copybooks if needed.

For more information, see Setting preferences for a zAppBuild user build.

Db2 for z/OS Development

• Tuning profiles are now optional when tuning SQL statements for certain connection mechanisms. For more information, see Tuning SQL statements.
• You can now Generate DDL scripts for Db2 objects like Databases, Indexes, Tables, Table Spaces, and Views. For more information, see Generate DDL.
• Apply multiple filters of the same column-type in Catalog Navigation. For more information, see Filtering Db2 objects.
• Support added for deploying User-defined functions (UDFs). You can now deploy UDFs from .udfsql files using the Deploy Routine wizard. For more information, see Deploying SQL User Defined Functions.
• Improved SQL error messaging:
  • Db2 for z/OS connections now display a default JDBC property retrieveMessagesFromServerOnGetMessage, which provides more detailed and readable SQL error messages.
  • A one time migration adds this property to existing connections as needed.
• Save and Reload stored procedure parameter values when calling or debugging routines.
• A new Db2 for z/OS preference allows you to toggle the Display result sets as plain text in the Console view.

For information about these new functions, see Developing with Db2 for z/OS.

Version 17.0.1

Installation

Limitations: IBM Developer for z/OS 17.0 cannot be updated to version 17.0.1 or later 17.0.x fix packs.

Workaround:

IBM Developer for z/OS was refreshed on 21 May 2025 to fix an update issue. Starting with build 17.0.1 (202505141635-85) - shown in Help > About - you can update an IBM Developer for z/OS P2 installation to later versions.

• If the build is earlier than 202505141635-85, install IBM Developer for z/OS 17.0.1 (202505141635-85) or a later 17.0.x fix pack as a new standalone application (you may reuse an existing workspace). Install any required Aqua extension products as well. See Installing the IBM Developer for z/OS Eclipse client
• If the build is 202505141635-85 or newer, use Help > Check for Updates to upgrade directly. For more information, see Updating the client to a new release.

Important: After updating to build 17.0.1 (202505141635-85) or later—or to any future 17.0.x continuous delivery update—install the refreshed license activation kit from Passport Advantage to complete the fix.

Db2 for z/OS Development

• Deployment of COBOL and PL/I stored procedures.
• Deployment of SQLJ Stored Procedures.
• Run/Call stored procedure of any LANGUAGE from source DDL.
• Content Assist provides suggestions for Schema, Table and Column names.
• Run SQL from Java and SQLJ source files.

For information about these new functions, see Developing with Db2 for z/OS.

Enhanced JCL Property Group Configuration with ZAPP Integration

JCL Property Group Configuration is enhanced to include these new features:

• Added Local Property Group support for JCL, which contains local and remote include file configuration options.
• Enhanced Remote Property Groups for JCL to allow local SYSLIB configuration options.

For information about these new functions, see Setting up property groups for editing.

Limitations: If the Include and Procedure Search Libraries field in the Remote JCL Property group is blank, the JCL Editor does not recognize includes members defined with a JCLLIB ORDER statement in the JCL file.

Enabling sequence number handling

Added support for sequence numbers with new preferences: Enable overflow prevention, Enable left sequence number edit prevention, and Enable prevention sounds. These options help control edits they might affect in the sequence number area, ensuring better code structure and readability.

Dependency Based Build Integration

The zBuilder Run User Build option has been updated to detect and upload any modified copybooks and include files for which a user build is requested, if applicable.

For information about this new functions, see Starting a user build for zBuilder.

Version 17.0.0

Db2 for z/OS Development

Db2 for z/OS Development tooling is enhanced to include these new functions:

• Deployment of external SQL stored procedures.
• Debugging native and external SQL stored procedures.
• Filtering catalog navigation results by any column type.
• Importing connection profiles from IBM Data Studio.
• Generating declarations (DCLGEN).
• A toolbar for common Db2 for z/OS actions.
• Autofill of prior parameter values when re-executing a query.
• Large object support.
• Consistent feedback from query execution when no rows are returned.
• Viewing multiple result sets returned from a query.

For information about these new functions, see Developing with Db2 for z/OS.

Dependency Based Build Integration

Adds support for IBM Dependency Based Build 3.0.0 to perform user builds with the new zBuilder DBB framework. The zBuilder framework simplifies user build functionality by moving many of the user prompts to configurations and defaults, thereby enhancing the user experience for mainframe developers. To learn more about user builds with zBuilder, see Setting up and running a user build with zBuilder.

Eclipse 4.31 and Java™ 17 Support

The product client is now built on Eclipse 4.31 with support for Java 17 and IBM Explorer for z/OS Aqua 3.4. For the Eclipse documentation, see Eclipse documentation.

Editors

• The COBOL parser now supports function prototypes, with which you can define the function name, parameters, and returning value of a user-defined function or other non-COBOL external functions such as C functions and invoke these functions.
• The HLASM Editor now supports local custom macros in local property groups.

Remote Connection Emulator

The redesign of Remote Connection Emulator that was introduced in IBM Developer for z/OS 16.0.5 is refined and enhanced with several usability improvements.

Deprecated and removed components

z/OS Automated Unit Testing Framework (ZUnit)

ZUnit is removed. The recommended replacement is IBM Test Accelerator for Z. For more information about this new offering, see the IBM Test Accelerator for Z product website and IBM Test Accelerator for Z documentation.

IBM Installation Manager

Support for client installation by using IBM Installation Manager is removed. The IBM Developer for z/OS client can be installed by using the Eclipse p2 provisioning platform. For more information about installing the Eclipse client, see Installing the IBM Developer for z/OS Eclipse client.

IBM Wazi for Dev Spaces

Wazi for Dev Spaces is removed from IBM Developer for z/OS Enterprise Edition.

Prior versions