News

Open Mainframe Project Releases Zowe V3 with LTS, Expanding Java Integration

• By John K. Waters
• November 2, 2024

The  Open Mainframe Project has announced the Long Term Support (LTS) V3 release of Zowe, an open-source framework for mainframes, designed to enhance durability, stability, and security for mission-critical applications. The latest version, unveiled on October 3, strengthens Zowe’s integration with popular programming languages and tools, particularly through support for Java, positioning the framework as a key component in modernizing mainframe environments.

Zowe V3 was designed to bridge mainframe and cloud-like environments, providing developers with modern interfaces and interoperability across enterprise IT systems. The new release introduces generally available Java and Kotlin SDKs, making it easier for Java developers to interact with IBM’s z/OS operating system. This support is seen as a critical step in broadening Zowe’s appeal and accessibility, especially as organizations increasingly seek to unify their mainframe systems with broader IT architectures.

"The continued success of Zowe as a community-driven project highlights the importance of the mainframe as an open platform," said George Decandio, CTO of Broadcom's Mainframe Software Division, in a statement. "The V3 release reflects Zowe’s ongoing evolution, particularly through its expanded capabilities for client SDKs, including Java, and integration with additional IDEs like IntelliJ."

With the new Zowe Explorer plugin for IntelliJ, Java developers can now interact with mainframe data directly from their integrated development environments (IDEs), enhancing productivity by providing access to mainframe resources without leaving familiar development tools. This move further aligns Zowe with enterprise modernization goals by allowing developers to work with z/OS in a manner similar to cloud platforms, easing the learning curve for those new to mainframes.

The V3 release also introduces enhanced security measures, proactive dependency monitoring, and improved installation stability, ensuring that organizations can adopt Zowe with minimal disruption to their operations. These features are aimed at organizations looking to future-proof their mainframe infrastructure while enabling seamless integration with modern, hybrid-cloud architectures.

"Zowe V3 is the culmination of five years of collaboration across the open-source community," said Bruce Armstrong, IBM Z Principal Product Manager and a member of the Zowe Advisory Council, in a statement. "With features like the Java SDK, we’re making mainframe access more intuitive for thousands of next-generation developers and system programmers."

The Open Mainframe Project’s Zowe Conformance Program, which promotes vendor-neutral standards, was also updated with LTS V3 guidelines. This program has been instrumental in helping vendors like Broadcom, IBM, and Rocket Software integrate Zowe into new and existing products, further embedding the framework within the mainframe ecosystem. To date, 77 products have implemented Zowe-based extensions, enabling interoperability across enterprise applications and data.

As organizations continue to modernize their mainframe infrastructure, Zowe’s Java-friendly features are expected to be a significant driver of adoption, helping developers leverage familiar tools while engaging with mainframe resources. This expansion of Zowe’s capabilities underscores the Open Mainframe Project’s commitment to fostering a robust, open-source mainframe community and ensuring the long-term relevance of the platform.