26 ClearCase (Commercial Configuration Management Tools)
Description
This article is from the Configuration Management Tools FAQ, by Dave Eaton dwe@arde.com with numerous contributions by others.
26 ClearCase (Commercial Configuration Management Tools)
ClearCase, by Rational (formerly Pure Atria) was designed by the
original DSEE architects (see below). It runs on a variety of Unix and
MS Windows systems (see platforms above). The Attache product provides
most client functions for Windows users. Both a command line interface
and a GUI are available.
In addition to version control and CM functions, advanced capabilities
include 32-way merge, versioning of any object (including
directories), logical version labeling, parallel builds distributed
over a network, and triggers for local site customizing. Versioned
history files may be compressed for space savings. The checkout
mechanism gives the appearance of leaving the file in place, so the
ClearCase source library is often used as a current working directory.
Although traditional make files may be used, simpler syntax and
enhanced tracking functions are available with clearmake. An automated
conversion utility aids migration from other CM tools. The unique DSEE
conversion utility preserves all DSEE versions, dates and reasons of
changes, indications of merges, and version labels in the new
database.
The ClearCase MultiSite(TM) option provides support for parallel
development and software reuse across geographically distributed
project teams, even without a network connection. ClearDDTS provides
integrated problem management and the ClearGuide option provides
software process management functions to round out the tool offering.
Tools automating a complex process are always a bit tricky to learn or
configure and user comments confirm that is the case at many ClearCase
sites. However, this quote from a satisfied user seems to echo the
feelings of many who find ClearCase a necessity at their locations:
"If you could measure the true cost of producing software (and not
just the cost of the tools used), you will find that ClearCase is a
bargain."
A supplier WWW site is available at http://www.rational.com
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