Getting started with code generation

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The code generation component of watsonx Code Assistant™ for Z streamlines and accelerates development using generative AI assistant. It helps developers update existing code and create new code with precision and speed, improving efficiency and code quality.

Using the code generation component, developers can:

Engage with AI agents through a chat interface to generate new code
Leverage content assist during development to receive real-time code suggestions, improving workflow and reducing errors
Improve productivity by saving time on manual coding tasks

Note: All code generated using Chat Experience feature of the watsonx Code Assistant for Z code generation component will be preceded by the text Assisted by watsonx Code Assistant for Z to indicate that the code was generated using AI.

Installing the code generation extension and configuring access

With the prerequisites in place, you can install the VS Code extension. After you downloaded and extracted the IBM® watsonx Code Assistant for Z packages from IBM's Passport Advantage® site you can follow the instructions in the readme file for verifying the code signatures.

See Install Zowe Explorer, Z Open Editor, and watsonx Code Assistant for Z VS Code extensions section on Set up a development environment and Setting up watsonx Code Assistant for Z service for details about installing the code generation extension and configuring access with an API key.

Enabling the chat interface

The chat interface is enabled by default for code generation. If the chat interface is disabled, you can enable using the Z Code Assistant > AI: Enable Chat setting in the IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z VS Code extension.

This chapter discusses the following topics: