VS Code for IBM i: SEP Debugging Prerequisites
Code for i users have been showing interest in Service Entry Point (SEP) debugging. SEP permits debugging of applications that run in a different job than the programmer’s job, such as a web server or prestart job.
Available since Version 2 of the IBM Debug Service, SEP requires several prerequisites, including the IBM i Debug extension, PTFs, and Licensed Program Products (LPPs). This article focuses on the PTFs and LPPs, objects that are frequently overlooked.
Version 3 of the Debug Service is now available. For prerequisites, see the official documentation’s Debugging General Requirements.
Required PTFs and LPPs for Version 2
Per the current Required PTFs section of the Code for i documentation, these were the required PTFs and LPPs for v2 of the SEP debugger:
- Host debugger
- These PTFs are all associated with Product 5770SS1:
- IBM i 7.5 PTF SI86229 and SI82343
- IBM i 7.4 PTF SI86178 and SI82335
- IBM i 7.3 PTF SI85976 and SI82198
- These PTFs are all associated with Product 5770SS1:
- Java 11
- Use Option 19 from Product 5770JV1
- Only Java 11 from this LPP will work
- Not older, not newer, not from Yum
- Location:
/QOpenSys/QIBM/ProdData/JavaVM/jdk11/64bit - IBM documentation: Download, Installation, and Usage of Java 11 on the IBM i OS
- Use Option 19 from Product 5770JV1
- Workstation Tools – Base
- Use Option 60 from Product 5770WDS
After you have installed the PTFs, you must restart your Visual Studio Code connection.
For more information
Complete, updated information on the Code for i debugging facility can be found at https://codefori.github.io/docs/developing/debug/overview/ and https://codefori.github.io/docs/developing/debug/configure/
For the best way to get your entire team up and productive with VS Code for i, talk to us about Code for i support and training.
(Links edited on May 19, 2026.)
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