Compuware Corporation, a technology performance tools company, has made enhancements to the Compuware Workbench, a standardized point-and-click mainframe application development interface. The Workbench is now configured to deliver faster and more efficient file and data management capabilities, the vendor says. This includes the ability to edit complex IMS databases, as well as debugging functionality, all designed to significantly boost developer productivity.
The Workbench helps companies future proof mainframe development by providing an environment where new and inexperienced developers can produce high quality applications that drive business success.
“Without access to a modernized development interface, new developers would be deterred by the complex and antiquated mainframe development environment, leaving companies vulnerable to application outages and other business risks when experienced developers retire and take their knowledge with them,” says Kris Manery, senior vice president for Compuware's mainframe solutions business unit.
The Workbench File-AID Data Editor now supports browsing and editing of IMS databases in addition to DB2 and other mainframe file systems. As one of the older mainframe database and transaction management systems, IMS requires highly technical and specialized knowledge to manage and support. With this new Workbench enhancement for IMS, however, developers can more readily edit, browse and understand IMS data constructs from within the same editor they use for other mainframe data types.
The File-AID Data Editor also supports the XREF capabilities of File-AID MVS, by automating the selection and usage of record layouts for files with different record types. File-AID determines the record layout to use for each record type by the value in one or more data fields.
Additional flexibility when debugging programs. Xpediter/Eclipse now includes “Monitor/Reverse” and “Step Into,” “Step Over,” and “Step Return,” along with other enhancements that provide developers with more flexibility when navigating through source code during the application debugging process.
Workbench also supports all major environments and formats of Compuware’s developer productivity product lines -- Abend-AID, Hiperstation, Xpediter, Strobe and File-AID -- giving developers the tools they need to develop, test, debug and tune applications.
Learn more at www.compuware.com.