IBM Bob – What can it really do? A first report

Functions and payment: a short overview

Bob is an AI assistant developed by IBM. It is described as an AI SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) partner that enhances existing workflows and helps users work with code. It is not open source, and it operates on a paid subscription model. Users can purchase so-called Bob Coins to pay for Bob’s “services.”
We took a closer look at the features of IBM Bob.

Where do I find IBM Bob?

There is a standalone version of Visual Studio Code. You need to download it and install it locally on your computer.

Which modes provides Bob?

Bob adapts to specific needs with various modes that optimize its behavior for different development scenarios:

• Plan mode: Planning and design before implementation
• Code mode: Write, modify, or rewrite code
• Advanced mode: For advanced features and complex tasks
• Ask mode: Provides answers and explanations about the codebase
• Orchestrator mode: Coordination of complex, multi-phase projects across disciplines

Features of IBM Bob – a short overview to IBM Bob’s functions

• 1. Code generating: Proficient in many programming languages (such as Java, RPG, and CL – others have not yet been tested)
• 2. Code completion: Code changes
• 3. Refactoring and debugging (not yet tested)
• 4. Code documentation: However, the code must also be well documented; in that case, the results were very good and helpful
• 5. Answering questions: not that good in comparison to ChatGPT
• 6. Automate tasks (not yet tested)
• 7. Create files and projects: e.g., develop concepts based on client requirements

We would particularly like to highlight the documentation and concept development features. Our results in these areas were truly excellent, and with the help of the wizard, we were able to create and complete the tasks much more quickly.

Actual tasks for IBM Bob

EPDM-Migration: The requirement was to modify the internal database structure. The assistant had been provided with a document containing relevant information and the customer’s requirements. IBM Bob was then asked to make a proposal for modifying the programs created by the customer. Within a few minutes, the assistant had generated a concept document of about 20 pages. This was largely consistent with our developers’ ideas, but it also lacked some Infor XA-specific steps that BOB was not aware of.

Code-Analysis: The analysis of a program developed by a client – and the client was supposed to modify the program according to certain specified parameters. However, the results of the analysis were relatively poor, as the code was very poorly documented and there was relatively little input for the assistant due to the poor code quality.

CL-Program: Extension of a CL program that allows you to copy source code from IBM i source files into IFS stream files.
Bob was involved in the practical implementation of this project.

Conclusion about IBM Bob

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using it. You should review everything it does. You should not let IBM Bob generate program code without further verification, as there is a high risk of errors. The assistant also had significant difficulties with poorly documented code. Therefore, it cannot replace a developer, but it can save a significant amount of time in certain use cases.

You can find more information about Bob here: https://bob.ibm.com/docs/ide