Debugger for Mainframe

Debugger for Mainframe provides a debugging interface for InterTest™ for CICS and InterTest™ Batch. This extension provides a modern debugging experience for CICS and Batch programs written in COBOL and High-Level Assembler Language (HLASM).

Debugger for Mainframe enables the modern mainframe developer to debug CICS and Batch applications in the modern, intuitive interface of the Visual Studio Code Run and Debug Panel instead of the traditional 3270 green screen terminal. By bringing CICS and Batch application debugging directly into a widely adopted IDE, Debugger for Mainframe allows developers to navigate their mainframe code using familiar playback controls. This integration ensures that modern application developers can interact with enterprise mainframe code with the same fluid and accessible experience as they are accustomed to when debugging modern languages.

The extension enhances the debugging workflow through advanced control and visibility features:

• Support for several types of breakpoints to precisely isolate specific programmatic behaviors.
• Dynamic inspection of variables through a hierarchical tree view that accurately reflects complex data structures, such as COBOL levels.
• Tracing features that track the sequence of program-to-program calls and the execution of individual statements.

Bringing these capabilities into VS Code delivers strategic value by accelerating developer productivity and reducing the time spent troubleshooting defects. By standardizing the development environment across both distributed and mainframe teams, organizations can facilitate a unified, cross-platform enterprise DevOps culture.

Debugger for Mainframe is part of the Code4z experience from Broadcom, which offers a modern experience for mainframe application developers. To get started with Code4z, check out our foundational extension pack.