Rational Development and Test Environment for System z

Application development and testing environment

• Create new applications using z/OS features in a unit test environment prior to release on the mainframe.
• Provide a z/OS test environment to a wider range of mainframe developers and testers by providing testing tools on individual developer desktops or to teams on shared servers.
• Allow mainframe operating systems, middleware and software to run on Intel and Intel-compatible platforms, eliminating the need for System z mainframe hardware during the initial set of development activities.
• Enable developers to implement quick test environment changes, such as defining new transactions and resource definitions using the IBM CICS Explorer® tools in Rational Developer for System z without involving mainframe production operations staff.
• Build and test new System z applications at virtually any time without impacting shared mainframe environments or processes.

Mixed workload support

• Provide a small-scale test environment for developers to run z/OS and z/OS middleware on an Intel or Intel-compatible workstation, taking advantage of a distributed development system that can be more cost effective.
• Use a more modern and agile team workbench that accelerates delivery of new workloads spanning multiple platforms.
• Take advantage of a personal or team-centric approach for developers to implement and test code changes in an isolated and controllable System z environment.
• Eliminate mainframe usage formerly required for development to help increase mainframe production capacity and help reduce development costs.

High fidelity development and test environment

• Use actual z/OS middleware to help reduce the retesting and modifications required when moving applications from the unit test environment to the quality assurance or mainframe pre-production stage.
• Provide a unit test environment comparable to a test environment on the mainframe.
• Work with an isolated test environment to test application changes that can be merged into the next level of testing using tools such as IBM Rational Team Concert™ for System z.
• Take advantage of the same environment to develop and test new applications and handle maintenance changes.

Software support and integration

• Get a preconfigured package of IBM operating systems and middleware for development usage including the latest versions of z/OS, IBM CICS®, IBM IMS™, IBM DB2®, IBM WebSphere®, COBOL, PL/I, C++, Java, high-level assembler (HLASM) and job control language (JCL).
• Integrate easily with other IBM Rational and IBM tools to help improve developer productivity and reduce costs.
• Use a simplified package with more flexible licensing options than previously available with IBM Rational Developer for System z Unit Test.
• Purchase as a stand-alone entry point into the Rational family of development solutions for System z.