Enhancing ABL Development: OpenEdge Sponsors VS Code Plugin

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by Jessica Malakian Posted on June 03, 2025

Developers are looking for ways to get more out of their development environments to enhance productivity, streamline workflows and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

In response to this demand, the Progress OpenEdge team is now sponsoring and supporting the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of a free OpenEdge Advanced Business Language (ABL) Visual Studio (VS) Code plugin.

The plugin, developed and published by Riverside Software, is offered to the Progress community free of charge and is expected to provide significant benefits for developers, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of development processes.

Empowering Developers with Advanced Tools

VS Code is a free, lightweight and open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. It combines the simplicity of a source code editor with powerful developer tooling, such as code completion and debugging. With the addition of this plugin, the OpenEdge platform will be more accessible to all types of developers—whether they’re new to the platform or experienced professionals—by bringing modern, familiar tools into their workflow.

For developers utilizing OpenEdge ABL, the plugin represents the ability to develop using VS Code. With this integration, developers can now benefit from enhanced code completion, syntax highlighting and debugging tools, all within the VS Code environment. These features not only reduce the time spent on coding but also improve the quality of the code produced, resulting in more robust and reliable applications.

Here are the key ABL developer benefits of this plugin:

  • Increased Productivity: VS Code plugins automate repetitive tasks, provide advanced code completion, syntax highlighting and debugging tools, which significantly reduce development time and improve code quality.

  • Improved Collaboration: Plugins often support real-time collaboration and version control, enabling developers to work together more effectively, even in remote settings.

  • Enhanced Code Quality: With features like linting and code formatting, plugins help maintain consistent coding standards and catch errors early in the development process.

  • Streamlined Workflow: Integration with build systems, unit testing and other development tools helps streamline the workflow, making it easier to manage and execute projects.

  • Customization and Flexibility: Developers can tailor their workspace with plugins that suit their specific needs, enhancing their overall coding experience.

Business Benefits

The sponsorship of the VS Code plugin represents a strategic enhancement that offers several key benefits for companies that utilize it.

The increased productivity of developers, facilitated by the plugin, results in faster project turnaround times. In a competitive market, the ability to swiftly bring new products and features to market is a significant advantage. By equipping developers with efficient tools, companies can maintain a competitive edge.

Additionally, the plugin fosters improved collaboration and communication among development teams, leading to more efficient project completion with fewer errors. This reduces the need for costly rework and revisions, ultimately resulting in significant cost savings. The resources saved can then be redirected towards other strategic initiatives, further benefiting the company.

Driving Innovation and Growth

By investing in cutting-edge tools, the OpenEdge team demonstrates its unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. This strategic investment empowers developers with access to the most advanced and efficient tools available.

The sponsorship of the VS Code plugin developed by Riverside Software is a prime example of this commitment. This proactive approach enables the Progress community to leverage the latest technologies to build more reliable and efficient applications.

We encourage anyone in the OpenEdge community who prefers to develop using VS Code to make use of the no-cost ABL plugin sponsored by Progress and delivered by Riverside Software.

Access the free VS Code plugin.


Jessica Malakian
Jessica Malakian

Jessica Malakian is a product marketing specialist at Progress who focuses primarily on Progress OpenEdge. Jessica is a recent college graduate and is excited to begin her professional journey with Progress. Outside of work, Jessica loves reading and writing. 

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