IBM Rational Developer for i is an Eclipse based IDE. Which provides an integrated development environment (IDE) to create, maintain and modernise applications on the IBM i platform. It integrates developer tools such as search, edit, build and analysis, refactoring capabilities and debuggers with the widely used Eclipse framework for faster, easier application development and modernisation. That resides on the developer’s desktop, supporting development in both host-connected and disconnected modes.
Key Features of IBM RDi
Increased productivity
Optimise your work process with integrated development tools. Remote System Explorer connects with IBM i servers to search and manage server-side files and run server scripts. Language-aware source editing capabilities include colour tokenizing , outline views, content assist and integrated compile error feedback. Visual analysis tools assist in understanding application structure and dependencies.
Improved team efficiency
Use Rational Team Concert, a life-cycle management software that supports remote-based teams. Enable source control, build automation and collaborate on life-cycle management projects using a common platform that includes agile, formal, and hybrid planning and reporting.
Greater business agility
Reduce training time with a modern Eclipse-based development environment when working on heritage RPG and COBOL applications. Rational Developer for i supports a range of programming models and languages including Java® , Java EE, C/C++, RPG, COBOL, CL and DDS. Enjoy a common user experience across other Rational IDEs for IBM Z systems, AIX and Linux.
Flexible packaging
You can choose the purchase option that is right for you. Purchase it with: COBOL Tools; COBOL + Modernisation Tools, Java Edition; or COBOL + Modernisation Tools, EGL Edition.
Install IBM RDi
IBM Rational Developer for i has all features enabled. Download the product for an evaluation period of 120 days. The simplest method to install the product at the latest fixpack level is to use the web install method. Alternatively, you can download the product zip images.
Web Install
The simplest method to install the product at the latest fixpack level is to use the Web install method. Review the Web Install of Rational Developer for i for more details. This would have to be done on each developer machine.
- This requires internet access and an IBM id to be specified.
- The Web Install installs the product at the latest fixpack level automatically and only downloads the files required by the selected installable features.
- The activation kit would need to be applied to use the product after the 120-day evaluation period.
- Automated web install using IBM Installation Manager (Windows)
- Web install using IBM Installation Manager (Mac, Linux)
Install from product zip
The product image can be downloaded (e.g. zips files) and then used to install on each developer machine. When installing from the download image, the launchpad is typically used as the starting point. From the launchpad, the IBM Installation Manager is launched to start the install process of the product.
By default, it will install the product image that was downloaded along with IBM Installation Manager if it is not already installed or not at the correct level. On the first panel of IBM Installation Manager, there is Check for Other Versions, Fixes, and Extensions button.
When it is selected, IBM Installation Manager will search for the latest fixpack of the product. This requires internet access and an IBM id to be specified, then continue with the install process and the latest level of the product will be installed.
This would have to be done on each developer machine. The activation kit would need to be applied to use the product after the 60-day evaluation period (120 days if installing with the latest fixpack)
How to fully activate the product
After evaluation, fully activating the product is a simple process of installing a license activation kit that you download from IBM after you purchase the product. You will not have to uninstall or reinstall the product. Please note that there is optional packaged software, which will be available for official download after purchase.
Source : IBM Rational Developer for i