Binean Nova — VS Code Extension
The Binean Nova extension transforms Visual Studio Code into a complete development hub for the Ingenium insurance system. It integrates building, debugging, server management, and change tracking into a single interface.
Installation
- Search for "Binean Nova" in the VS Code Marketplace and install
- Run "Binean Nova: Initialize Environment" from the Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P) - Always launch VS Code from the "Binean Nova" desktop shortcut for the correct environment
Prerequisites
- Windows operating system
- Rocket COBOL extension (prompted on first launch)
- Visual COBOL compiler
- IBM DB2 server or client
Key Features
Build — Ctrl+Shift+B
Compile all modified COBOL files with a single keystroke. The build:
- Detects all changed files automatically
- Compiles in parallel for maximum speed
- Shows results in the VS Code build panel
- Stops active debug sessions before building
Debug — F5
Debug COBOL programs directly in VS Code:
| Configuration | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Ingenium Online Debug | Interactive program debugging |
| Ingenium Batch Debug | Batch job debugging |
Set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through code — just like any modern language.
Activity Bar — Nova Panel
The Binean Nova tab in the Activity Bar provides three views:
Changes View
Tracks file differences between your Baseline (BSL) and Development (DEV) repositories:
- See added, modified, deleted, and renamed files
- Open side-by-side diffs (read-only baseline vs development)
- Auto-refreshes every 1.5 seconds
Items View
Manages branches merged since the last golden point:
- Create new branches with standardized naming
- Copy branch names, merge commands, or merge scripts
Ingenium Management View
Monitor and control Ingenium servers and policy operations:
- Servers: View regions and workers, start/stop regions
- Policy Tasks: Track export, import, and copy operations with live status
Setup Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| Setup Nova Environment | Create the Nova directory structure and desktop shortcut |
| Initialize Ingenium Workspace | Scaffold .vscode/ config files for a new project |
Configuration
Settings are configured in .vscode/settings.json:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
binean.nova.NOVA_INST_DIR | Nova installation directory |
binean.nova.NOVA_DEV_DIR | Development workspace path |
binean.nova.NOVA_DBNAME | Database name |
binean.nova.NOVA_DBSCHEMA | Database schema |
binean.nova.NOVA_DBUSER | Database username |
binean.nova.NOVA_DBPASS | Encrypted database password |
binean.nova.COBDIR | Visual COBOL installation directory |
binean.nova.DB2PATH | DB2 installation directory |
Encrypt your database password with nexus encrypt <password> and paste the output as NOVA_DBPASS. See the nexus guide.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+B | Build all modified files |
F5 | Start debugging |
Ctrl+Shift+D | Open Run and Debug view |
Ctrl+Shift+P | Open Command Palette |
Companion CLI Tools
The extension works alongside these command-line tools:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
icomp | COBOL compiler — used by the build system |
iman | Server manager — starts/stops the management server |
isman | HTTP API — provides data for the sidebar views |
nexus | Utilities — encrypts database passwords |
benova | Environment setup — configures workspace |