IBM Support

IBM Developer for z/OS client-server compatibility

Question & Answer


Question

What levels of the IBM Developer for z/OS client and server are compatible?

Answer

Client-Server Compatibility
In general, IBM Developer for z/OS follows a two-level compatibility tolerance for basic client-server functionality.
Basic client-server functionality includes:
  • Connecting to a z/OS system
  • Allocating z/OS data sets
  • Creating a z/OS Project
  • Working with z/OS COBOL & Pl/I remote assets: edit, syntax check, submit, execute, debug and view the output
  • Basic CARMA functionality
  • Compatibility between service levels within a release is also supported: for example, using the version 15.0.5 client to access a version 15.0.0 server.
As an example, if you upgrade your Developer for z/OS server to version 16.0.x, client versions 16.0.x, 15.0.x and 14.2.x are compatible with the 16.0.x server. Likewise, if you upgrade your client to 16.0.x, server versions 16.0.x, 15.0.x, and 14.2.x are compatible with the 16.0.x client. 
Notes:
  • Server enhancements that are client-dependent are not available to developers using earlier versions of the client: for example, an enhancement to the version 16.0.x server that requires a new user interface, such as a window or preference, is not available from the version 15.0.x or 14.2.x client. 
  • Client enhancements are not available in earlier versions of the server: for example, a feature added to the version 15.0.x client is not available if you connect to a version 14.2.x server.
Developer for z/OS v14.2.x (server) Debug for z/OS v14.2.x (server) Developer for z/OS v15.0.x (server)
 
Debug for z/OS v15.0.x (server) Developer for z/OS v16.0.x (server)
 
Debug for z/OS v16.0.x (server)
Developer for z/OS v14.2.x (client)
Developer for z/OS v15.0.x (client)
Developer for z/OS v16.0.x (client)
✓ *
* The ZUnit (z/OS Automated Unit Testing Framework) feature of the Developer for z/OS version 16.0.x client requires server version 14.2.1 or later to run tests. The deprecated AZUTSTRN test runner is removed from version 16.0.x, and the client requires the IBM z/OS Dynamic Test Runner to run ZUnit test cases. The IBM z/OS Dynamic Test Runner is included in server versions 14.2.1 and later.

Workspace Data Compatibility
  • Workspace data created in an earlier version of the client can be opened in later versions of the client. Workspace data created in a later version of the client cannot be opened in earlier versions. For example: Workspace data created in the version 15.0.x client can be opened in the version 16.0.x client, but workspace data created in the version 16.0.x client cannot be opened in the version 15.0.x client.
  • Workspace data that is opened in a later version of the client cannot be used with an earlier version after it is migrated. For example, a workspace used with the version 14.2.x client can be used with the version 15.0.x client. But after it is used with the version 15.0.x client, it can no longer be used with the version 14.2.x client. This policy also applies to individual artifacts of a workspace, such as property groups.

For more information about IBM Support lifecycle policies and specific end-of-support dates for other versions of IBM Developer for z/OS, IBM Developer for z Systems, or Rational Developer for z Systems, see IBM Support Product Lifecycle.

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Product Synonym

RDz;IDz;Debug Tool;Debugger

Document Information

Modified date:
24 April 2024

UID

swg21568844