Che4z is an all-in-one mainframe extension package for developers working with z/OS applications, suitable for all levels of mainframe experience, even beginners.
Che4z offers mainframe application developers a modern, familiar and seamless experience, which helps to overcome some developers' reservations or concerns about the traditional mainframe user experience.
Che4z is powered by the open-source projects Eclipse Che and Zowe. Many of these extensions, and other mainframe-oriented innovations, are also available as part of the Code4z package of extensions for Visual Studio Code.
The Che4z basic stack is included with Eclipse Che version 7.6.0 and above, so no installation is necessary. To get started, create a new workspace and select the Mainframe Basic Stack.
To install the Che4z premium stack, follow these steps:
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Open a Brightside Support Ticket to obtain the devfile URL for the Che4z premium stack.
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Once you receive the URL, log in to Eclipse Che.
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In Workspaces, click Import Devfile.
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Next to Source, select URL.
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In the URL field, paste the Eclipse Che4z premium stack devfile URL.
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Click Create & Open and wait for the workspace to initialize.
A workspace is created with Eclipse Che4z extensions available.
The Che4z basic stack contains the COBOL Language Support, HLASM Language Support, Zowe Explorer, Explorer for Endevor and Debugger for Mainframe extensions.
COBOL Language Support standardizes the communication between language tooling and your code editor using the Language Server Protocol (LSP).
How can we improve COBOL Language Support? Let us know on our Git repository
- Edit COBOL code with syntax highlighting, real time syntax validation, content assist and other advanced features.
Code completion, highlighting, browsing and validation for High Level Assembler language.
How can we improve HLASM Language Support? Let us know on our Git repository
- Edit HLASM code with syntax highlighting, real time syntax validation, content assist and other advanced features.
- Trace HLASM macros.
Zowe Explorer is an Eclipse Che extension powered by Zowe CLI that streamlines interaction with mainframe data sets, USS files, and jobs.
How can we improve Zowe Explorer? Let us know on our Git repository
- Access z/OS Datasets and z/OS Unix file systems and submit JCLs.
- View and download job output.
- Issue TSO commands.
Explorer for Endevor gives you the ability to Browse and Retrieve Endevor® SCM elements using a user-friendly, intuitive interface.
It offers the best developer experience in synergy with Bridge for Git, a solution which enables you to concurrently work in Git and mainframe.
How can we improve Explorer for Endevor? Let us know on our Git repository
- Retrieve, browse and search Endevor elements.
Debugger for Mainframe provides the debugging interface to InterTest™ for CICS. This extension provides a modern debug experience for COBOL applications running in a CICS region.
How can we improve Debugger for Mainframe? Let us know on our Git repository
- Debug COBOL code for applications running in a CICS region.