Trying out “Display File DDS Edit” for VS Code

Intrigued by some recent posts from Cristian Larsen on LinkedIn (New Release – Display File DDS Edit v 0.10.1), I decided to download the VS Code extension “Display File DDS Edit” and test it with a few DSPF files.

✅ What’s new

Version 0.10.0 introduces several enhancements that bring the DSPF (Display File DDS) editing experience in VS Code a step closer to what we’re used to in traditional tools — including improved field management directly from the schema view.

Cristian mentions that the project is “growing towards becoming a true DDS editing companion inside VS Code,” and the progress updates he shares on LinkedIn give real hope that we’ll soon see a tool capable of becoming a true alternative to SDA — which, as a reminder, will no longer be available (or at least updated) starting with IBM i 7.6.

The extension is already available for testing as a preview version: Display File DDS Edit – VS Code Extension.

🎥 If you’d like to see it in action, Cristian has also published a demo video on YouTube: Working with Display File DDS Edit.

⚠️ What it’s not yet

It’s important to note that the extension is still quite young and does not yet compete with mature tools like Rational Developer for i (RDi) in terms of full graphical editing, display-file layout management, or deep integration with RPG/ILE development workflows.

Some of the advanced DSPF editor features — such as drag-and-drop layout design, interactive runtime simulation, and automatic generation of associated CL/SQL logic — are not yet available or are still in early development.

With the arrival of IBM i 7.6, where some legacy DDS technologies may be deprecated, it’s worth keeping in mind that the whole ecosystem will evolve — and tools like this one will need to adapt along with it.

🎯 Why this matters for the IBM i community

If you’re an RPG/ILE developer still maintaining DSPF-based applications or working with legacy interfaces, this extension offers a lightweight and modern alternative to traditional IDEs.

Its integration with VS Code, already widely used for front-end, open-source, and multi-platform development, can help boost productivity and ease the transition toward more open toolchains.

The anticipation of a fully functional DSPF editor inside VS Code is also a great motivator for the community — to contribute feedback, report issues, suggest new features, and maybe even participate in the project’s evolution.

🧭 What you can do now

• Download and install the latest version of Display File DDS Edit from the VS Code Marketplace or from the link shared by Cristian Larsen.
• Try it out with one of your DSPF files — preferably in a test environment — to explore what’s already working well and what’s still missing.
• Share feedback: bug reports, feature requests, improvement ideas — the more the community contributes, the faster this tool will grow.
• Consider how such a tool could fit into your RPG/ILE development workflow or your modernization roadmap.