What if your AI coding partner could understand how your IBM i application fits together before reading a single line of source code?
In this episode of The Incredible i Show, Peg Tuttle welcomes IBM's Tim Rowe back to the show for a live demonstration of IBM Bob and its newest major capability, Understand, part of the IBM Bob Premium Package for i.
A quick heads-up before we dive in! 🎙️
Technology had a few ideas of its own during this recording. Tim's internet connection was a little temperamental, and apparently the neighborhood lawn mowers wanted to join the show, too! 😂 We kept rolling because the conversation was too good to stop. Thanks for hanging in there with us!
🎥 Want to see Bob in action? This episode includes a live demonstration of IBM Bob's new Understand feature. Head over to The Incredible i Show on YouTube to watch Tim walk through the application diagrams, metadata, and capabilities firsthand!
And there's a lot to catch up on!
From new COBOL for IBM i capabilities and SQL and RPG code reviews to modernization workflows and monthly enhancements, Tim shares how quickly Bob is evolving and why IBM i developers are embracing it.
But the real star of this episode is Understand.
Tim demonstrates how Understand scans compiled IBM i objects to create a metadata repository that helps Bob identify application relationships, dependencies, and functionality without first scanning source code. Bob can then answer questions, generate application diagrams, and help developers navigate complex applications while using significantly fewer Bob Coins.
And the real-world examples are pretty incredible.
One IBM customer used Bob to complete a change involving a 37,000-line program in less than six weeks, a project originally estimated to take nine months. Tim also shares how he generated a 2,700-page documentation set in approximately 90 minutes.
Of course, we also talk about responsible AI, modernization, knowledge transfer, and why Tim believes AI development tools are becoming table stakes for the next generation of IBM i developers.
What You'll Learn
- What's new in IBM Bob, including COBOL support, SQL performance reviews, RPG code reviews, and modernization workflows
- How Understand uses compiled IBM i object metadata to reveal application relationships and dependencies
- Why Understand can reduce Bob Coin consumption and is included in the Premium Package for i at no additional charge
- How agents.md helps development teams maintain consistent coding practices, security requirements, and build standards
- How Bob can help organizations document and modernize long-standing IBM i applications
- What customers are accomplishing with Bob today and what's coming next
Resources & Links
👉 IBM Bob:
https://bob.ibm.com
👉 IBM Bob Premium Package for i:
https://bob.ibm.com/docs/ide/premium-packages/bob-for-i/bob-for-i-index
👉 Understand documentation:
https://bob.ibm.com/docs/ide/premium-packages/bob-for-i/understand
👉 Understand overview and demo:
https://bob.ibm.com/blog/ibm-i-three-month-update/
👉 IBM Bob YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ibm-bob
👉 IBM client case studies:
https://www.ibm.com/case-studies
👉 IBM TechXchange 2026:
https://www.ibm.com/events/techxchange
👉 COMMON NAViGATE at TechXchange:
https://www.common.org/navigate-at-techxchange/
👉 NAViGATE 2026 schedule:
https://navigate2026.sched.com
👉 Connect with Tim Rowe:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rowe-34b7a530
One Incredible Thing ✨
Tim's Incredible Thing:
He's going to be a grandpa! Tim and his wife are expecting their first grandchild in April, and Peg is already working on his new nickname: Pop-Pop!
Peg's Incredible Thing:
She's putting IBM Bob to the test. Her goal? Build a software product using Bob, even though she's not a developer. The idea is already mapped out, but she's keeping it a secret for now. Stay tuned!
