IBM IMS® Explorer for VS Code

Release notes

IBM IMS Explorer for VS Code

This document provides a summary of notable changes, enhancements, and fixes for each release of the IBM IMS Explorer for VS Code extension.

Release history

VersionRelease dateNotes
1.2.1October 16, 2026Fixes
• IMS Command connection is no longer dropped when idle
• Fixed an issue where DBD segment field operations (add, edit, move, delete) in IMS projects would become unresponsive on Windows
• Field data types in the Edit side panel now reflect correct values
• Fixed duplicate notifications issue for move and deletion field operations
• Added warning status to IMS Command results tab

Changes
• Lowered minimum required VS Code version to 1.102.3
• Updated Node.js runtime dependency to version 22
1.2.0August 28, 2026Enhancements
• Welcome page on first launch
• IMS type-1/type-2 command execution with return codes, table/detail views, history, and JSON download
• SSL certificate management for database connection profiles
• MFA/TOTP prompt support during database connections
• Reconnect prompt when modifying an active connection
Support has been added for the following:
• Editing and executing IMS DDL statements (DBD and PSB) from SQL files in an IMS project
• Add/edit segment fields from the field table view
• Move/delete one or more fields from a segment
• User-defined type converters and UDB driver versions via custom JAR
• IMS catalog and local project metadata as metadataSource
• Advanced search (Find referenced PSBs/DBDs) in DBD and PSB table views
• Additional field data columns in catalog DBD/PSB table views
1.1.0April 28, 2026Enhancements
• Import DBDs/PSBs from the IMS catalog into IMS projects
• Edit DDL and source code within IMS projects
• Interactive hierarchical visualization of DBDs and PSBs
• SQL editor: CodeLens for connection selection, per-file connections, and Run button
• showIMSCatalogs property to hide system catalog DBDs/PSBs by default
• MFA support and intelligent re-authentication prompts
• Unified logging output channel
• Text labels in tabs for improved UI clarity

Fixes
• Quick Pick option to re-enter credentials on authentication failure (TS021433816)
• Security vulnerability patches
1.0.0January 30, 2026Enhancements
• Initial release with integrated IMS database development in VS Code
Support has been added for the following:
• Creating and managing IMS projects, driver definitions, and connections
• Browsing IMS Catalog and IMS databases
• Tree and table views for DBDs, PSBs, PCBs, segments, and fields
• Viewing DBD source, DDL, and database metadata
• Executing SQL queries with tabular results and query history
• CSV export of SQL query results

Release notes

Version 1.2.1

This version includes the following fixes:

  • IMS Command connection is no longer dropped when the connection is kept idle.
  • Fixed an issue where the add, edit, move, and delete operations for DBD segment fields in IMS projects would become unresponsive on Windows.
  • Field data types in the Edit side panel now reflect the correct values.
  • Fixed duplicate notifications issue for move and deletion field operations.
  • Added warning status to the IMS Command results tab.

This version includes the following changes:

  • Lowered the minimum required VS Code version to 1.102.3.
  • Updated the Node.js runtime dependency to version 22.

Version 1.2.0

This version includes the following enhancements:

  • Added a welcome page that loads on first launch, providing quick-start scenarios to verify installation and prepare the first project workspace.
  • Added support for editing and executing IMS DDL statements from SQL files in an IMS project. DBD and PSB definitions can be created or modified using IMS DDL syntax and executed directly against an IMS database connection. After execution, issue IMPORT DEFN SOURCE(CATALOG) to activate the changes in IMS. For more information, see Editing and Executing IMS DDL.
  • Added support for executing IMS type-1 and type-2 commands from IMS projects. A Commands folder can be added to IMS projects where commands can be created and executed against an IMS connection. Results include a return code, table view, and detailed view, which can be downloaded as a JSON file. A command history view retains previous results.
  • Added SSL certificate management attributes for database connection profiles in ims.connections.json.
  • Added support for multi-factor authentication (MFA) prompts during database connections. When connecting to an IMS database that uses MFA or TOTP, users are prompted to provide a token before the connection is established.
  • Added reconnect support when modifying an active IMS connection. A notification is provided to re-establish the connection.
  • Added the ability to add and edit segment fields from the field table view. A custom JAR can be configured to support user-defined type converters and UDB driver versions.
  • Added the ability to move or delete one or more fields from a segment in the field table view.
  • Added advanced search options to the DBD and PSB table views. Select the overflow menu for a DBD or PSB to use Find referenced PSBs or Find referenced DBDs.
  • Added support for using IMS catalog and local project metadata as the metadataSource for a database profile.
  • Added additional field data columns to the catalog DBD and PSB table views.

Version 1.1.0

This version includes the following enhancements:

  • Added the ability to import DBDs and PSBs from the IMS catalog into IMS projects.
  • Added support for editing DDL and source code within IMS projects.
  • Added interactive hierarchical visualization of DBDs and PSBs for IMS database connections and IMS projects.
  • Enhanced SQL editor with CodeLens for connection selection, per-file connections, and Run button in title bar.
  • Added showIMSCatalogs configuration property to hide system catalog DBDs and PSBs (DFSC prefix) by default.
  • Improved credential handling with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) support and intelligent re-authentication prompts.
  • Added unified logging output channel for frontend and backend logs.
  • Updated UI with text labels in tabs for improved clarity.

This version includes the following fixes:

  • Fix for case TS021433816: Quick Pick option now provided to re-enter credentials when authentication failures occur.
  • Addressed various security vulnerabilities.

Version 1.0.0 - Initial release

This version includes the following enhancements:

  • Integrated IMS database development experience inside Visual Studio Code.
  • Support for creating and managing IMS projects, driver definitions, and database connections.
  • Ability to connect to IMS Catalog and browse IMS databases.
  • Tree and table views for DBDs, PSBs, PCBs, segments, and fields.
  • Viewing of DBD source, DDL, and database metadata.
  • Execution of SQL queries against IMS databases with tabular results and query history.
  • CSV export of SQL query results.

Note