Up and Running (2) : IBM Data Studio 4.1.4

Introduction 

I, like almost everybody, had assumed that Data Studio 4.1.3 was going to be the last ever release of this great old workhorse. The last fixpack (APAR7) for this release came out in July 2020, and I thought that was the end of the line.

What a surprise to find that not only has IBM released Data Studio 4.1.4 as an early Christmas present on 3rd December 2021 but they'd also backed this up with an APAR1 release on 24th January 2022.

So how do I get this new release, and what's new in it?

Installation

The installation files, for Windows and Linux are available from -

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/download-and-install-ibm-data-studio-41x

You can either download from the web (requires a free IBM ID) or, if you are an IBM customer with a current support contract, from Passport Advantage.

The installation isn't quite as easy as previously, since there isn't a "launchpad" script any more.  Instead you'll find two zip files - one containing a new version of Installation Manager and the other, much larger, one containing the full Data Studio installation.

This new version of Data Studio requires a new version of Installation Manager (V1.9.1.6) so you must install this first.  Full installation instructions can be found here -

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/568395

Here's a summary.   First create a new directory and unpack the downloaded file into it.  Then create a new directory within that for the Installation Manager installation files and unzip the Installation Manager zip file, with a name starting agent.installer, into this.  Change to the newly created directory and run the "install" (Linux) or "install.exe" (Windows) file.  I did this as root (via sudo) on my Linux machine.  Once Installation Manager is installed, restart it and then add the main Data Studio installation zip file (starting com.imb.dsida) using File/Preferences/Add Repository. You can add the APAR1 zip file at the same time as you add the main repository file and both will be installed at the same time.  Then click "Install" and go through the installation screens, which are identical to previous versions.

What's New

The main change between 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 is that Eclipse has been upgraded from Neon (4.6.3) to Photon (4.8).  I believe IBM did this to ensure that there is a very of Data Studio that is at the same level as other IBM Eclipse-based tools that are still more fully supported.  However it important to users like ourselves because it means that many of the plugins we've come to rely on will continue to be available (this was already becoming an issue with some of the plugins I used with 4.1.3)

APAR1 brings in fixes for the widely-reported log4j security problem - so make sure you install this one right away.

The other item which IBM says has changed is an "enhanced deployment manager for enterprise deployments".  Since I don't use this, I can't comment on its effectiveness.

Summary

IBM's strategic direction for Db2 tools, for both Db2 for z/OS and Db2 (LUW), is Visual Studio Code extensions.  These are making good progress, particularly the Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension. But there is still functionality that is only available in Data Studio, and this new release allows more time for the VS Code extensions to gain functionality and for users like ourselves to work through the transition process.

So, keep focused on encouraging IBM to continue their VS Code development - but enjoy this new release of Data Studio at the same time. 

Comments

  1. PerfDBA31 January 2022 at 21:08

    Phil, thanks for the helpful article. I've downloaded both the windows and linux versions. I will update you when I get them installed and running.

    ReplyDelete

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