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
What is watsonx Code Assistant?
IBM watsonx Code Assistant is a generative AI-powered tool designed to assist developers with tasks such as code modernisation, explanation, and unit test generation. It simplifies the migration of traditional WebSphere applications to Liberty.
How does IBM watsonx Code Assistant help with WebSphere modernisation?
It automates the migration process by analysing your application, identifying required changes, and applying fixes to transition from WebSphere Application Server to Liberty with minimal manual effort.
What is “no-touch code migration”?
This refers to the automated nature of watsonx Code Assistant, which reduces or eliminates the need for manual coding during migration or modernisation processes.
How does this tool save time during modernisation projects?
By automating complex tasks like code analysis, migration fixes, and Java upgrades, it significantly reduces the time and effort required for manual coding and testing.
What is IT automation?
IT automation is the use of software to perform repetitive IT tasks and processes with minimal human intervention. It helps streamline workflows, reduce errors, and increase efficiency by automating tasks such as system configuration, application deployment, and error remediation. Modern IT automation often incorporates AI and machine learning to handle complex tasks and adapt to changing requirements.
What is application modernisation?
Application modernisation is the process of updating legacy applications to align with current technology and business needs. This often involves migrating applications to cloud environments, adopting microservices architectures, or integrating advanced technologies like AI. The goal is to improve scalability, performance, and agility while reducing technical debt and operational costs.
Why should I migrate my WebSphere applications to Liberty?
Liberty offers improved performance, scalability, and cloud-native capabilities compared to traditional WebSphere Application Server. It also reduces operational costs and technical debt.
What is technical debt?
Technical debt refers to the future costs and challenges caused by choosing quick, expedient solutions over optimal ones during software development. While it can accelerate delivery in the short term, unresolved technical debt increases complexity, maintenance burdens, and long-term costs, much like financial debt accrues interest over time. IBM estimate that technical debt is already a $1.5tr problem, with typical enterprise having around 600 legacy apps, with a cost of approximately 700 hours each to modernise.
How much does watsonx Code Assistant cost?
The cost of IBM watsonx Code Assistant starts at USD $3,000 per month, which includes approximately 3,000 task prompts per month for unlimited users. Pricing may vary depending on usage levels, additional features, or customisation requirements. IBM provide a price estimator on their website to provide indicative costs based on user input. If you would like a formal quotation with any promotions/ incentives we can offer, please get in touch using the contact us form or through the online chat.
Is Code Assistant just for enterprise-scale businesses?
While it is highly suited for large organisations with complex legacy systems, such as those using WebSphere or IBM Z, IBM watsonx Code Assistant can also benefit smaller businesses and development teams. Its features, like code generation, explanation, and modernisation, are scalable and adaptable to various project sizes and industries, making it accessible to a wide range of user.
What types of tasks can IBM watsonx Code Assistant perform?
The AI code generator supports application modernisation, Java version upgrades, code explanation, unit test generation, and more.
Can it handle large-scale applications?
Yes, watsonx Code Assistant can analyse and modernise applications of varying sizes, from small projects with fewer than 100 classes to large-scale enterprise applications with hundreds of thousands of lines of code.
Does it support automated fixes for migration issues?
Yes, it provides automated fixes for many common migration issues and offers guidance for more complex problems that require manual intervention.