ARCAD-Transformer Microservices for VSCode

Requirements

• An up and running ARCAD-Transformer Microservices server, version 25.0 or above.

Installation

1. Download and install the ARCAD-Transformer Microservices extension from the VSCode marketplace.
2. Open the Settings, navigate to the extension > ARCAD-Transformer Microservices section and set the server's port.
3. Set the server's address if it's not running on your IBM i, else leave it blank.
4. If you use HTTPS, make sure to set the path to a local file containing the server's certificate chain in PEM format.

Configuration

1. Connect to the Microservices Server

• Use the "Connect to Server" command from the Command Palette or the status bar button.
• On successful connection, the list of available Projects and Rules will be fetched and displayed in the extension sidebar.

2. Create or Select a Project

• Projects help organize and manage transformation microservices tasks.
• Use the "Create Project" or "Select Project" option depending on your need.

3. Define or Select Rules

• Rules define how the externalization or transformation is carried out.
• You can define rules directly in the UI or fetch them from the server.

✅ Code Extraction and Externalization

Externalization can only be performed after a successful Code Extraction.

1. Extract Selected Code

   • Select a specific portion of code in the editor that you want to analyze.
   • Right-click and choose "Analyze for Extraction".
   • The extension will analyze the selected code.
   • Results are displayed in the Extrcation Analysis Explorer, showing results.

2. Externalize Extracted Code

   • After a successful extraction, select the option to use "Extract as ILE Procedure", where you can provide all the details, such as the procedure name, parameters (if you wish to edit them), component name, type, prototype name, binding name, binding type, and description.
   • Use the "Extract as ILE Procedure" command.
   • A step-by-step wizard will guide you through:
     • Naming the new component
     • Defining input/output parameters
     • Specifying the prototype name, binding name, binding type, and description
     • Reviewing the generated component code
   • Once confirmed, the selected code is modularized and integrated into your project structure.

🔍 Search Similarities

The Search Similarities feature is independent and helps detect similar code patterns across files and projects.

How to Use

1. Open a source file and select a code block.
2. Run the "Search Similarities" option from the right-click menu or Command Palette.
3. The system scans for similar logic and lists results in the Similarity Panel, including:
   • Component and project name
   • Match percentage
   • Matching line numbers

This feature is useful for identifying duplicate logic and improving maintainability.

✅ Apply to Rules and Projects

• All extractions and externalizations and similarities are tracked under the selected Project and associated Rule.
• You can manage them via the treeview, where each project can expand to show related rules and transformation logs.