IBM IMS Explorer for VS Code

Creating IMS Connections

Overview

The IMS Explorer for VS Code extension allows you to create and manage IMS database connections directly within Visual Studio Code. Use the following steps to create a new IMS database connection using the IMS Connections view.

Step 1. Open the IMS Connections View

  1. If it is not already, open the IMS Connections from the activity bar.
  2. The tree view displays existing connections and folders.

Step 2. Create a New IMS Database Connection

  1. In the IMS Connections view, click the Add IMS Connection(s) button. This is indicated with a plus symbol.
  2. Select the type of IMS database connection or click Add IMS DB Connection.
  3. Specify a name for the new database connection.
  4. The ims.connections.json project file opens and contains the new database connection contents

The following example shows contents for a newly created ims.connections.json:

{
  "profiles": {
    "imsdb": {
      "databaseConnectionName": {
        "dataStoreServer": "",
        "portNumber": 0,
        "databaseName": ""
      }
    }
  },
  "autoStore": true
}
  1. Provide the remaining information for dataStoreServer, portNumber, and databaseName. Save your changes.
  • dataStoreServer: The name or IP address of the data store server (IMS Connect)
  • portNumber: The TCP/IP server port number to be used to communicate with IMS Connect
  • databaseName: The location of the database metadata representing the target IMS database

The database connection is shown in the IMS Connections view. You may be prompted to enter a password to authenticate your IMS database connection.

Step 3. Verify and Use the Connection

  • Click the Connect button in the VS Code status bar to choose or verify the active connection. This button is indicated by a link icon.

Successful connections will be indicated in the IMS Connections view with a green database icon.