IBM® Dependency-Based Build (IBM DBB) is a modern build solution for mainframe applications that optimizes and automates dependency tracking and incremental builds, enhancing DevOps efficiency for z/OS® development.

IBM DBB is an intelligent build system for traditional z/OS applications, such as those written in COBOL and PL/I, that analyzes and manages build dependencies between objects. Designed to streamline z/OS development, DBB offers powerful automation capabilities and flexibility, allowing teams to integrate with modern Git-based workflows and popular DevOps tools like Jenkins and GitLab. It provides a stand-alone, framework-independent solution, enabling developers to standardize DevOps practices across platforms while simplifying code builds through a modern scripting language. DBB helps accelerate delivery while maintaining robust mainframe reliability.

The zBuilder is available with DBB 3.0.x and later. The DBB zBuilder is a YAML configuration-based build tool for building z/OS applications with DBB. The zBuilder can be used out of the box and can be customized for specific scenarios. The zBuilder can run various build types, which are named build lifecycles (full build, impact build or personal build for example).

Features

• **Git-based SCM integration: **DBB supports integration with your preferred Git-based source control management (SCM) system, enabling seamless management of mainframe assets in modern development workflows.
• **Dependency tracking and management: **DBB automatically tracks dependencies between source code objects, helping ensure efficient builds by only recompiling the necessary components, reducing build times and optimizing performance.
• **Java API for z/OS task automation: **DBB enables running z/OS tasks and executing MVS and TSO/ISPF commands. This API supports automation of build processes and integrates with tools to manage dependencies and source code efficiently.
• Continuous integration and tool agnostic
• DBB integrates into any CI/CD pipeline, including Jenkins, Azure DevOps and GitLab CI, via its Command Line Interface (CLI), allowing teams to automate builds and tests in their existing pipelines without being locked into a specific tool.
• **Integration with IBM Test Accelerator for Z. **DBB integrates with IBM Test Accelerator (TAZ) for z/OS, allowing developers to automate and run dynamic tests as part of the CI/CD pipeline, improving the quality and reliability of builds without the need to deploy artifacts to target environments.
• Build report management and open toolchain flexibility - DBB stores detailed build reports, provides insight into the build process and integrates with open toolchains like GitLab and Jenkins. It does all this without requiring specific source code managers, giving teams flexibility and control over their development environments. - By combining the power of the GitLab Ultimate for IBM z/OS platform with IBM DBB, it offers an intelligent build system tailored for traditional z/OS applications. This integration simplifies the management of diverse toolchains and streamlines software delivery workflows, making it easier to implement continuous integration and delivery.

Benefits

• **Boosted efficiency with smart build management: **Tracks and manages dependencies automatically, helping ensure only necessary parts are rebuilt. Its Java API lets you run tasks on z/OS, create build scripts and store reports, leading to faster, more accurate builds.
• **Flexible integration without lock-in: **Works seamlessly with popular tools like Git, Jenkins and VS Code, without locking you into specific platforms. Its flexibility allows easy integration with modern workflows, including support for Git migrations, while giving you control over your pipeline.
• **Automation for faster continuous integration: **Automates tasks like testing and quality checks based on code changes, ensuring up-to-date builds. It fits into any CI/CD pipeline, speeding up delivery and helping ensure reliable results across different platforms.