IBM Bob: The AI coding agent that modernizes Java from 11 to 25 in days, not months
IBM has launched Bob, an AI-powered development partner that goes beyond autocomplete to handle complex enterprise tasks. Bob can spawn parallel agents, understand natural language through Literate Coding, and integrate with CI/CD via Bob Shell. Early adopters report dramatic results: one team modernized a Java codebase from version 11 to 25 in just 3 days instead of the usual 30+, and another built a production-ready MCP server with only 3 prompts. Bob also supports legacy languages like RPG and COBOL, making it a versatile tool for modernizing aging systems.
Bob demonstrated a level of intelligence and contextual understanding that goes beyond anything I've seen in other tools.
- mrbluecoat
Totally reminds me of "HP Offers 'That Cloud Thing Everyone Is Talking About'"
- woah
Nobody ever got fired for IBM Bob setting up a secret message board and establishing a persistent foothold in an internal inference cluster
- tims33
I thought they were resurrecting Microsoft Bob, the operating system for kids.
- maxbobby
No one at IBM remembers Microsoft Bob (one of the earliest, if not the earliest virtual assistants) from the 90s? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob
- exakoustos
The "What developers say" carousel has a single Java dev and dev advocate. They got lots of quotes from managers, directors, CEOs, and an "AI strategist".
- Stevvo
Interesting they are renting out agent skills. You can pick up "Java Modernization" at $20 a month for "Specialist workflows to help with modernizing Java applications", or "IBM i" for "Specialist modes, workflows, and skills to work with IBM i applications".
- crash-universe
Someone must have thought about this. PMs, Directors, lots of people involved in putting this together.
I wonder what their target customer is. They must have analyzed and projected this. I'm genuinely interested.
- TYPE_FASTER
Definitely gonna change Jira config to start estimating work in Bobcoins.