Application modernisation with IBM Watsonx Code Assistant
What is IBM watsonx Code Assistant?
IBM watsonx Code Assistant is an enterprise-grade coding assistant designed to accelerate the software development lifecycle. In other words, it is a powerful AI-driven tool that helps software developers write, review, and improve code more efficiently.
watsonx Code Assistant is designed to help businesses and professional teams speed up the entire software development and modernisation process. It assists developers in writing, reviewing, and improving code more efficiently using AI code generators, reducing the time and effort needed to update older applications and move them to modern platforms.
By automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent suggestions, it helps teams work faster, reduce errors, and focus on more strategic aspects of their work and allowing them to create more innovative solutions. Whether updating legacy systems or building new applications, watsonx Code Assistant makes the process smoother and more efficient.
Where is watsonx Code Assistant used?
Typically, watsonx Code Assistant is used to help modernise traditional WebSphere Application Server applications to Liberty, enabling smoother upgrades and transformations for enterprise Java applications. While it was designed to modernise WebSphere applications, it is commonly used in other developer environments such as Java J2EE, COBOL, PHP and others.
It integrates directly into integrated developer environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code and Eclipse, offering context-aware assistance while ensuring trust, security, and compliance.
It leverages generative AI to automate the modernisation of legacy applications, including migrating WebSphere applications to Liberty, without requiring manual intervention. This AI code generator approach significantly reduces the complexity and human effort typically associated with migration projects, aligning with the concept of “no-touch” automation.
Key features of watsonx Code Assistant
IBM watsonx Code Assistant is a versatile tool used across AppDev and AppMod functions. Here are some of the key features of Code Assistant that enable developers to achieve their goals.
1
Context-Aware Code Generation
IBM watsonx Code Assistant uses generative AI to create code based on natural language prompts or partial code snippets. This feature enables developers to quickly generate boilerplate code, complex algorithms, or entire functions, significantly speeding up development workflows.
2
Code Explanation
The AI code generator tool analyses existing code and provides detailed explanations in plain language. This is particularly useful for onboarding new developers, understanding legacy codebases, or documenting complex logic.
3
Automated Unit Test Generation
Developers can generate unit tests for specific functions or methods with a single click. This ensures better test coverage and reduces the time spent writing tests manually.
4
Code Documentation
IBM watsonx Code Assistant can automatically generate inline comments or documentation that describe what the code does. This helps maintain consistent and readable documentation across projects.
5
Language Translation
The tool supports translating code from one programming language to another (e.g., COBOL to Java). This is especially valuable for organisations modernising legacy systems or adopting new technology stacks.
6
Enterprise Java Modernisation
Specifically designed to modernise WebSphere applications, the tool automates migration to Liberty and upgrades Java versions, reducing technical debt and improving performance.
7
Code Refactoring
The AI code generator tool identifies opportunities for refactoring, such as simplifying complex logic or modularising monolithic codebases into microservices, ensuring that applications are optimised for scalability and maintainability.
8
Integrated Chat Interface
Developers can interact with the tool through a conversational chat interface directly within their IDE (e.g., Visual Studio Code). This allows for real-time feedback, error detection, and recommendations without disrupting workflows.
9
Support for Multiple Programming Languages
The tool supports over 100 programming languages, including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, Go, and TypeScript. This flexibility makes it suitable for diverse development teams working on various platforms.
10
Real-Time Code Suggestions
As developers type in their IDE, watsonx Code Assistant provides real-time suggestions for completing lines of code or entire blocks, improving coding speed and accuracy.
Benefits of using watsonx Code Assistant
It goes without saying that the list of Code Assistant features is impressive, but what does this actually mean for the user? Here are some of the benefits that developers and their employers can gain from adopting IBM watsonx Code Assistant.
1
Accelerated Development Cycles
By automating repetitive coding tasks such as boilerplate generation, test creation, and documentation, the AI code generator tool enables developers to focus on high-value activities like innovation and problem-solving.
2
Seamless Migration from WebSphere to Liberty
The tool simplifies the migration process by automating much of the work required to transition from WebSphere Application Server to Liberty. This reduces downtime and ensures a smoother upgrade path.
3
Improved Code Quality and Maintainability
Features like automated refactoring, real-time feedback, and adherence to best practices ensure that the generated code is clean, efficient, and easy to maintain.
4
Reduced Costs and Technical Debt
Automating tasks such as legacy code translation (e.g., COBOL to Java) and application modernisation reduces reliance on manual labour-intensive processes, saving time and money while addressing technical debt.
5
Enhanced Developer Productivity
IBM watsonx Code Assistant minimises context-switching by integrating directly into popular IDEs like Eclipse and Visual Studio Code. Developers can access all features without leaving their coding environment.
6
Lower Barrier to Entry for New Developers
With features like code explanation and documentation generation, the tool helps junior developers quickly understand complex projects and contribute effectively.
7
Future-Proof Applications
By modernising enterprise applications with AI-driven tools, organisations can ensure their systems are scalable, secure, and ready for cloud-native environments.
8
Trustworthy AI Models
Built on IBM’s Granite foundation models, watsonx Code Assistant ensures high-quality outputs by leveraging curated data sources that align with industry standards for security and compliance.
9
Customisable Deployment Options
Available as both SaaS and on-premises solutions, the tool provides flexibility to meet organisational requirements related to security and infrastructure preferences.
10
Faster Time-to-Market
By streamlining development workflows with automation and AI-driven insights, teams can deliver software faster while maintaining high quality standards.
How has IBM watsonx Code Assistant helped others?
Probably the best example of where IBM watsonx Code Assistant has been deployed is within IBM itself. IBM often places itself as ‘Customer Zero’ – i.e. it uses its own products to solve problems they themselves face before releasing the products publicly.
In this case, Code Assistant has been used to modernise its own applications and development processes. It has reported its successes as follows:
Internal Application Modernisation
IBM uses watsonx Code Assistant to modernise its legacy WebSphere applications, transitioning them to Liberty. By applying the tool to its own enterprise-scale projects, IBM validates its ability to handle complex migrations with minimal manual intervention.
Efficiency Gains
Internal testing has shown significant productivity improvements, such as a 90% time savings on code explanation, a 59% reduction in documentation time, and a 38% reduction in code generation and testing time. These results highlight watsonx Code Assistant’s ability to streamline workflows and reduce costs.
Showcasing AI-Driven Automation
IBM leverages the tool’s generative AI capabilities for tasks like Java runtime modernisation, automated unit test creation, and code refactoring. By using it internally, IBM demonstrates how AI can automate repetitive tasks while maintaining high-quality standards.
Proof of Scalability
IBM has applied watsonx Code Assistant across diverse projects, proving its scalability for large enterprises. This includes transforming monolithic applications into microservices and upgrading Java versions efficiently.
Trust and Security Validation
By deploying watsonx Code Assistant within its own secure environments, IBM ensures the tool adheres to strict compliance and security standards, reinforcing its reliability for enterprise customers.
Ready to get started with IBM watsonx Code Assistant?
If you want to find out how IBM watsonx Code Assistant can help you modernise your applications, and what DeeperThanBlue can offer you, get in touch today.
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IBM watsonx Code Assistant FAQs
1. What is watsonx Code Assistant? +
2. How does IBM watsonx Code Assistant help with WebSphere modernisation? +
3. What is “no-touch code migration”? +
4. How does this tool save time during modernisation projects? +
5. What is IT automation? +
6. What is application modernisation? +
7. Why should I migrate my WebSphere applications to Liberty? +
8. What is technical debt? +
9. How much does watsonx Code Assistant cost? +
10. Is Code Assistant just for enterprise-scale businesses? +
11. What types of tasks can IBM watsonx Code Assistant perform? +
12. Can it handle large-scale applications? +
13. Does it support automated fixes for migration issues? +
