The News: IBM introduces the Test Accelerator for Z, a solution tailored for IBM Z customers that supports testing, enhanced agility, accelerated delivery, and improved software quality by facilitating automated testing integrated into a continuous framework. Read the announcement blog here.
Mainframe Testing: Introducing IBM Test Accelerator for Z
Analyst Take: Mainframes have traditionally served as the backbone for enterprise computing, managing essential applications and enormous volumes of data for sectors such as financial services, government, insurance, and others. Nevertheless, the swift pace of technological advancement drives organizations to invest in their mainframes to remain competitive and fulfill changing market requirements. Previously considered applicable exclusively to cloud and distributed systems, agile methodologies and DevOps practices are gaining substantial traction in the mainframe realm. The need for quicker development cycles, simplified workflows, and the incorporation of modern software development methodologies to improve adaptability and responsiveness are the driving forces behind the move. Enter stage left IBM Test Accelerator for Z.
What Was Announced?
IBM has introduced the IBM Test Accelerator for Z as part of its effort to align mainframe development with modern software methodologies. This solution aims to transform testing on IBM Z platforms, allowing developers and testers to embrace agile and DevOps approaches in their mainframe environments.
The IBM Test Accelerator for Z offers various features that may enable a more flexible and DevOps-focused approach to mainframe development:
Early Development Testing for z/OS: This feature allows for the creation and execution of unit and early integration tests without the need for extensive middleware. It supports accelerated test coverage, including alternate or error paths, which are crucial for ensuring strength in critical applications.
Integration Test Builder for z/OS: Aimed at automating the integration test process, this tool helps streamline and expedite the creation of integration tests, further enhancing the development speed.
Dynamic Test Engine for z/OS: Essential for both Early Development Testing and Integration Test Builder, this engine facilitates the creation and execution of tests without middleware dependencies. It integrates with the IBM z/OS Debugger to support code coverage collection and debugging, making the testing process both thorough and efficient.
On-demand Dev and Test Environment for z/OS: This capability allows developers and testers to provision z/OS instances for development and testing purposes through a GUI or APIs. It supports both z/OS Dev and Test Stock images and custom images, providing flexibility and speeding up the development process.
The above features are integrated into a cohesive platform that facilitates a user-friendly experience using an Eclipse extension for IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz), which is driven by the IBM Dynamic Test Engine for z/OS. Batch, Customer Information Control System (CICS) Transaction Server, and Information Management Systems (IMS) programs are all automated in the early stages of development. This makes it easier to detect errors early and keep systems integrated.
Enhanced Collaboration and Quality
The IBM Test Accelerator for Z facilitates collaboration between z/OS developers and testers, ensuring that testing becomes an integral part of the development process rather than a secondary task. This proactive shift-left strategy supports the early detection of errors, resulting in both cost reduction and delivery delays. Furthermore, identifying problems at an earlier phase helps with maintaining or even enhancement of the overall program quality. Integrating testing into the development lifecycle promotes a uniform and efficient workflow, enabling developers and testers to collaborate more effectively in providing software solutions quickly and efficiently.
Looking Ahead
The introduction of IBM Test Accelerator for Z aligns with the industry’s shift toward agile and DevOps processes. This tool could not only boost the operational efficiency of mainframes but also potentially equip them to support the rapid iteration and continuous delivery models needed in modern organizations. This is important in an industry where the speed of development and deployment directly impacts business success.
Looking forward, the integration of IBM Test Accelerator for Z with broader initiatives such as watsonx for Code Assist could impact how developers engage with mainframe environments. watsonx for Code Assist introduces AI-powered code completion and recommendation features, reducing the cognitive load on developers. Thus, they could have more time to focus on solving business problems and less on maintenance, which could enhance productivity and efficiency in development processes.
The IBM Test Accelerator for Z stands out when compared with other options in the market. Other tools, for instance, aim to improve the developer experience by integrating mainframe and distributed system environments, focusing on simplifying the development process across platforms. While these may facilitate a unified development environment, IBM’s solution emphasizes early testing and continuous integration to enhance software quality directly within the mainframe environment. It’s too early to see how the competitive landscape will play out, but we will certainly be tracking this.
With these advancements, the mainframe market is on the cusp of a transformation. Organizations that adopt these new capabilities will not only see improved productivity and operational efficiency but also gain a substantial competitive edge in industries where reliability, security, and performance are critical.
As mainframes evolve to incorporate modern agile and DevOps environments, tools such as IBM Test Accelerator for Z will play an essential role in ensuring these time-tested systems continue to lead in enterprise computing. This holistic approach to mainframe modernization reflects a broader trend toward integrating traditional computing platforms with modern development practices and technologies.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
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Steven engages with the world’s largest technology brands to explore new operating models and how they drive innovation and competitive edge.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics from Colorado State University and is passionate about leveraging her diverse skill set to drive growth and empower clients to succeed in today's rapidly evolving landscape.
