Release notes for IMS Enterprise Suite Explorer for Development

IBM IMS Enterprise Suite Explorer for Development provides IMS Explorer for Web, a server-based application and web interface to simplify and enhance tasks associated with IMS application development and database management.

These release notes present announcements, important notices, new or improved product elements, changes to the existing product, bug fixes, and known issues or limitations. To view APAR/PTF and related support information, see Fix list for IMS Explorer for Web.

To run IMS Explorer for Web, compatible versions of IBM IMS and IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty must be installed and available in your operating environment. To learn more, see Installing IMS Explorer for Web.

Version 3.4.1 new features and enhancements

IMS Enterprise Suite version 3.4.1 adds the following new features and enhancements for IMS Explorer for Web. To use version 3.4.1, apply APAR PH67941.

Support for importing and mapping copybooks

You can now import COBOL copybooks and PL/I includes into IMS Explorer for Web and reuse them when mapping segment data structures or creating maps. This capability ensures consistency in how data structures are defined and reduces the need for duplicate work.

Enhanced database connection view

The database connection view is improved to support a more organized way to browse IMS catalogs and database connections. The updated view helps you navigate easily across environments and quickly locate resources with advanced search capabilities.

Maps and cases capabilities

IMS Explorer for Web now supports maps and cases, which allows you to customize how data is grouped and displayed. Maps define how fields are organized within a segment, while cases apply rules to show or hide fields based on data values, giving you flexible views of your data.

Exporting projects

You can export IMS Explorer for Web projects for use in the Eclipse-based IMS Explorer for Development. Exported projects can also be stored in source control systems or shared with colleagues, making it easier to collaborate and maintain consistent artifacts across environments.

To learn more, see Getting started with IMS Explorer for Web.

Version 3.4.1 fixes

Along with numerous performance improvements, the following issues and limitations are fixed in version 3.4.1.

An issue involving case-sensitive username formatting and workspace access is fixed.
An issue involving missing or renamed PSB that required manual database connection troubleshooting is fixed.
IMS Explorer for Web now supports exporting and deleting of PSB and DBD files.
SQL scripts are no longer limited to a single statement.
An issue that affected socket connection and session handling is fixed.

Version 3.4.1 known issues or limitations

In version 3.4.1, graphical user interface (GUI) content is available in English only.

IMS Enterprise Suite for z/OS Explorer for Development version 3.4.0

IMS Explorer is now available through a modern web browser. IBM IMS Enterprise Suite Explorer for Development provides IMS Explorer for Web, a server-based application and web interface to simplify and enhance tasks associated with IMS application development and database management.

IMS Explorer for Web is designed to help you create, edit, and manage IMS projects through an intuitive and modern user interface. The Eclipse and web versions support similar use cases, but are not yet integrated. To avoid compatibility issues, use either the Eclipse-based IMS Explorer for Development or IMS Explorer for Web.

Installation guidance is available for system administrators. See Installing IMS Explorer for Web.
To begin using IMS Explorer for Web, see Getting started with IMS Explorer for Web.

IMS Explorer for Web provides a subset of features and functions that are available in the Eclipse-based Explorer for Development component of IMS Enterprise Suite. To learn more about the Eclipse-based version, see IMS Enterprise Suite Explorer for Development.

Version 3.4.0 known issues or limitations

Some tasks and project types in IMS Explorer for Web are currently disabled. These options represent future capabilities that are not yet supported in the GA release.

Username formatting and workspace access

The current release of IMS Explorer for Web requires consistent use of case-sensitive usernames at login. This requirement is flagged as an issue for future resolution.

When you first log in, IMS Explorer for Web creates a workspace directory to store your project files and applies your username as a case-sensitive directory name (for example, user ‘Zach’ gets a workspace directory named ‘Zach’ ). If you log in again and use a different case (such as ‘zach’), you cannot access your previous project files because IMS Explorer for Web instead creates a new workspace directory (‘zach’). To avoid this issue, enter your username in the same case each time you log in.

Database connection troubleshooting

If your database connection becomes unresponsive or is getting errors, verify whether the PSB name specified in the connection properties still exists in the IMS system. A missing or renamed PSB can cause the connection to hang.

Exporting and deleting PSB or DBD files

IMS Explorer for Web does not yet support exporting and deleting PSB or DBD files. This functionality is not yet available.

SQL script execution

Each SQL script can only contain one SQL statement. If you include multiple statements in a single file, the script will fail to execute. To avoid this, ensure that each file contains only one valid SQL statement.

To ensure that necessary information is available to you, properly initialize your environment using the steps described in Installing IMS Explorer for Web.