Overview
Extend IBM Bob with AI-powered workflows for end-to-end modernization of mainframe applications including COBOL and PL/I.
The IBM Bob Premium Package for Z is an AI-powered extension for IBM Bob IDE and Bob Shell that combines structured workflows, automation, and AI-driven insights to analyze, refactor, and document complex mainframe codebases such as COBOL and PL/I.
This documentation provides information for installing, configuring, and using IBM Bob Premium Package for Z. It covers the product's AI-driven capabilities, workflows, application analysis features, code modernization tools, and integrations that help streamline IBM Z application development and maintenance.
For more information, see the full Bob for Z documentation.
Available workflows
Generate data dictionary
Build semantic understanding of application variables with automatic identification and JSON-based metadata storage.
Generate program documentation
Automatically produce comprehensive documentation for COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, and JCL programs including business rules and logic flow.
Refactor COBOL or PL/I program
Modularize legacy applications by extracting discrete business logic into reusable, standalone service programs.
Generate refactored service program
Transform extracted code segments into fully functional, standalone COBOL or PL/I service programs.
Explain code
Understand legacy codebases with multi-perspective explanations for architects, developers, and business stakeholders.
End-to-end transformation
Combines implementation planning, code generation, and validation into complete, traceable modernization pipelines.
Generate application documentation
Produces structured HTML application documentation with diagrams and cross-referenced pages for COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, and JCL programs.
Extract business rules
Identifies, highlights, and documents business rules embedded in COBOL, PL/I, or HLASM source code — transforming low-level procedural logic into structured, human-readable business documentation.
Optimize COBOL program
Analyzes IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS programs for performance bottlenecks and optimization opportunities — delivering prioritized, actionable recommendations for a single COBOL source file.
How it works
The IBM Bob Premium Package for Z is a workflow-driven modernization platform that integrates analysis, transformation, validation, and documentation into guided, repeatable processes.
Workflow-based automation
Structured, guided workflows standardize complex modernization tasks — from data dictionary generation to service extraction.
Deep legacy understanding
Analyzes COBOL, PL/I, JCL, REXX, and HLASM programs including dependencies, copybooks, and control-flow paths.
Integrated documentation
Generates documentation and extracts business rules alongside every transformation.
End-to-end transformation
Combines implementation planning, code generation, and validation into complete, traceable modernization pipelines.
Language and middleware support
IBM Bob Premium Package for Z supports mainframe languages including COBOL, PL/I, JCL, REXX, and HLASM, with middleware support for CICS, IMS, MQ, and Db2.
Skills and tools
IBM Bob Premium Package for Z provides a set of built-in skills and tools used across workflows:
Skills: Implementation planning · Impact analysis · Data dictionary management · Code explanation · Coding standards enforcement
Tools: Source code scanning and control-flow analysis · Data dictionary tools · Transformation rule generators · Refactoring and service extraction tools
Use cases
- Modernizing enterprise COBOL applications with transformation, validation, and documentation
- Generating automated documentation for legacy mainframe systems
- Extracting business rules for compliance and audit requirements
- Breaking monolithic programs into reusable, service-oriented components
- Performing impact analysis before making changes to production systems
Getting started
Ensure your environment and project meet all requirements before starting.
For more information, see Prerequisites.
Review the available workflows and identify which one fits your modernization goal.
For more information, see Workflows.
Select your workflow and initiate it using the Start Workflow button in the Bob chat panel, or use a slash command such as /init, /refactor, or /explain.
For more information, see Getting started.