Introduction Software
configuration management is one of the biggest challenges in front of most IT houses in
today''s complex world. A challenge which began as a simple requirement for maintaining different versions of the software, has now become a major headache with aspects like disaster
management, multi-site development etc. adding huge amount of complexity. Given this background simple software like Visual Source Safe and CVS fail to achieve this level of complexity. ClearCase is one software which tries to address this problem.
ClearCase - The Background ClearCase is a product from the stable of Rational, which is now taken over by IBM. Rational software has given some of best tools for software development and it was only natural for them to give a good tool to address the issue of Software
configuration management.
ClearCase actually has two software components for today''s global economy i.e. ClearCase and ClearCase Multisite. The combo of these two address the issue of multiple locations worldwide.
ClearCase - The administrator''s perspective From an administrator''s viewpoint, ClearCase provides the following features:
1) Multiple distributed server architecture: What this essentially means is that the administrators can have ClearCase running on different local servers across the world which would be synchronized and replicated at regular intervals.
TakeAway This provides both stability and maintainability for the software. Also disaster management is taken care of by this. 2) Integrated Workflow Management with other Rational Software: Any typical software development house would have a horde to software development tools like bug tracking systems, design tools etc. ClearCase provides integrated workflow support with other Rational tools like ClearQuest.
TakeAway One shop solution for all software solutions. 3) Automatic backup and restore of all the software.
TakeAway Backups and Restores represent a major portion of work for most configuration teams. This simplifies the process. 4) Web Interface: This is a major requirement in today''s global economy wherein people work from multiple sites. So if a desktop tool is required it needs to be installed on all machines whereas the web interface can be reached from any machine that has a browser.
TakeAway Ease of operation for administrators. ClearCase - The User''s perspective From the user''s perspective, ClearCase becomes a different ballgame altogether.
1) Complexity: Users used to using simple version control systems like Visual Source Safe and CVS would find it difficult to use ClearCase. ClearCase Explorer is a tool that is available which gives a UI look and feel which is similar to other source control systems. But still the user needs to get familiar with terms like VOB, Views etc. before he can get comfortable with it.
2) Versioning Mechanism: The versioning mechanism using branches and labels is very well defined and organized in ClearCase. Once you understand the way it is defined, it becomes a very effective tool for managing different versions of software.
3) Configuration Specification: Configuration Specification is a novelty that ClearCase introduces which helps in maintaining the various versions of software. It enables user to define the versions of various different components within the same view. So just by changing the entries in the Configuration Specification you could be looking at a totally different version of the software.
4) Scripting Language: ClearCase comes with it''s own scripting language which provides functionality from creating branches labels to complex searches. This is very useful to advanced users who need to search baseameters.
The Summary Compared to the other Source Control systems like Source Safe and CVS, ClearCase is miles ahead. But, then again, it is designed to resolve a much bigger problem of configuration management and not just source control.
Given its features and functionalities and it complexity of use, I would give this tool a 4 star rating.