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InterSystems Ideas
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* Bugs and troubleshooting should as usual go through InterSystems support.
Status Needs review
Created by Pietro Di Leo
Created on Nov 24, 2025

Create a Docker image with material for InterSystems IRIS onboarding

Getting started with InterSystems IRIS is not so easy. There are so many possibilities and for a new dev it could be confusing,
and the existing documentation is sparse and not exhaustive.
Moreover, ObjectScript has changed a lot over the years, so figuring out the right way to code isn't obvious at all.
It would be awesome to have an hands-on, pre-built environment like a Docker image containing a sample application,
which might be the sandbox where a newcomer can actually do stuff instead of just reading docs.

The starter kit will allow the devs to:

  • See the Big Picture:

    • Learn how to navigate the Management Portal

    • Understand how Interoperability Productions work

    • Learn about the Task Manager, and all the other IRIS cool stuff.

  • Code the Right Way:

    • See a well-structured class tree and project folders that follow all the official best practices.

    • Learn how to use the ObjectScript unique features like the Try-Catch statement for error handling or the $LIST and arrays variables.

    • Figure out how to query the database with Dynamic SQL, Embedded SQL, and the Object Mode.

    • Put hands on the globals, which are a key feature of InterSystems IRIS.

  • Use Containers:

    • Understand how to run and manage InterSystems IRIS using Docker containers.

  • Build a Live API:

    • Actually create a small production that can be hit with Postman (or any free tool) to build a simple REST integration

  • Learn how to use External Language:

    • Embedded Python and all the available IRIS native SDKs are cool features we should use more

It's everything a new developer needs to go from zero to hero.

  • ADMIN RESPONSE
    Nov 24, 2025

    Thank you for submitting the idea. The status has been changed to "Needs review".

    Stay tuned!