comp.software.config-mgmt FAQ: Configuration Management Tools Summary
Dave Eaton
Last-modified: 2002/09/10
Version: 9.0
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Configuration Management Tools Summary
Introduction
This is the newsgroup comp.software.config-mgmt "Frequently Asked
Questions" (FAQ) posting of a Software Configuration Management tools
summary. This is part 2 of the 3 part FAQ. Please review all parts
before submitting suggestions or questions to the FAQ editor.
The information contained in this summary is a consolidation of data
obtained from a variety of sources around the Internet, but primarily
from articles and comments posted on the comp.software.config-mgmt
newsgroup. Additional information occasionally is emailed to the FAQ
editor. Check the date above to see how recent the information you are
reading might be.
Sharing Of Information
This document, as a collection of information, is Copyright 1995-2001
by Dave Eaton. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided
that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for
profit or incorporated in commercial documents without the written
permission of the copyright holder. This article is provided as is
without any express or implied warranty. The content is the sole
responsibility of the author and contributors, and does not
necessarily represent the position of their employers nor an official
position or opinion of any company. Please contact the FAQ editor
regarding changes.
Other Information
Various products mentioned in this FAQ are the trademarks of their
respective companies.
All parts of this FAQ are posted to this newsgroup on or about the
22nd of each month. (This is done manually and sometimes work
interferes with this posting, please excuse any delays.)
Like most FAQ lists, these parts are archived at rtfm.mit.edu (and
various other sites which archive FAQs.) The parts are named:
* cm-tools = Configuration Management Tools Summary (this document)
* faq = General Questions
* prob-mgt-tools = Problem Management Tools Summary
and may be found in directory
pub/usenet-by-group/comp.answers/sw-config-mgmt. Those new to the
newsgroups should read news.announce.newusers for general information.
For those with World Wide Web access, hyperlinked HTML versions of
these documents are available via: http://www.daveeaton.com/scm/
(If you type in this URL, remember that it is case sensitive.) These
are updated throughout the month as changes come in. A letter is added
to the version number and the date is changed with each edit to help
you determine if you've already seen it.
What this is not.
If you are not sure what we mean by CM (or SCM), please see our
definition in question [1.2] of FAQ section 1. If you still think this
will help you with your PC hardware or application configuration, you
are mistaken. Please see question [1.10] of FAQ section 1 for some
suggestions of other more appropriate newsgroups for your question --
do not post it to comp.software.config-mgmt. Thank you.
Similarly, this FAQ is intended for tools which address the
configuration management needs of the software development process.
This does not include hardware configuration tracking or software
distribution.
This is not a definitive list of all available tools, nor is it
intended to be. It is not a recommendation or endorsement of any of
the tools mentioned. As noted above, it is a composit of opinions from
the comp.software.config-mgmt newsgroup. If you have a tool you would
like others to know about, please join the discussion.
_________________________________________________________________
** What's New this Month? **
1. Changes to Serena company name and address and its product names.
2. Added SCons.
3. Changed Bras Web address.
_________________________________________________________________
Still Needed
Some tools have been mentioned in the newsgroup, but contact
information (company name, address and phone or ftp location) as well
as user comments are needed so they may be included in the report
below. If you are a user of such a tool, please send a paragraph or
two containing your comments and experiences as well as supplier
contact information to the FAQ editor.
_________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
1. Summary
2. Abbreviations Used
3. Process versus Configuration Management
4. Commercial Vendor Contact List
5. Version Control Systems Generally Available Free
5-b. Tools to "make" or "build" Software
6. Commercial Configuration Management Tools
7. Tools Related To Configuration Management
8. CM Tools with World Wide Web sites
1. Summary
History
The first posting of this FAQ was in April, 1994. Since the newsgroup
was relatively new at that time, the early FAQ was 'jump started' with
information obtained from the following sources:
* the Usenet newsgroup comp.software-eng
* the InterWorks (HP Workstation Users Group) CASE SIG mailing list
* various printed matter
Since then, it has been updated and changed substantially as readers
have supplied additional information to the comp.software.config-mgmt
newsgroup and directly to the editor.
Contributions
In addition to some of the vendors themselves, most information
summarized here comes from newsgroup posts and email received from end
users. Our gratitude is been extended to all who have contributed.
Instructions for adding or changing information in this FAQ may be
found in section 1.8 of part 1, the general FAQ for the
comp.software.config-mgmt newsgroup.
Not Official Statements
Please use the summary below in the spirit with which it has been
supplied: for information only. These statements are composites and do
not represent official positions by any particular responder's
company. Remember that these users may not be commenting on the
current version of a product. It is recommended that you do your own
research before making a tool decision for your company.
2. Abbreviations Used
CM
The abbreviation "CM" will be used throughout this document to
mean "configuration management", and in particular, software
configuration management or "SCM".
FTP
The user interface to the ARPANET standard File Transfer
Protocol (FTP). The program allows you to transfer files to and
from a remote network site.
PC
Personal Computer - Intel-based IBM or compatible.
3. Process versus Configuration Management
Vendors Don't Always Differentiate
Some products noted in this FAQ provide configuration management, not
development process management, others provide both but to varying
degrees. The vendors marketing configuration management tools do not
always distinguish the difference nor do they always explain which
services their tool is actually trying to provide for you. Briefly,
these two concepts are:
* Traditional Configuration Management - checkin/checkout control of
sources (and sometimes binaries) and the ability to perform builds
(or compiles) of the entities. Other functions may be included as
well.
* Process Management - control of the software development
activities. For example, it might check to ensure that a problem
report existed and had been approved for fixing and that the
associated design, documentation, and review activities have been
completed before allowing the code to be "checked in" again.
While process management and control are necessary for a repeatable,
optimized development process, a solid configuration management
foundation for that process is essential.
You Choose
Be certain to determine what form of management is most important to
your project, then be certain the tools you consider provide that
function.
4. Commercial Vendor Contact List
Vendors
Platform availability and products are continually changing, please
check vendors for current information and trade publications for new
entrants. As of this writing, these vendors could be contacted as
shown in this table.
Commercial CM Products
Product Vendor Address Platforms
+1CM +1 Software Engineering Sun (SunOS and Solaris)
2510-G Las Posas Road,
Suite 438
P.O. Box 6041
Camarillo, CA 93011
tel.: 805-389-1778
in...@plus-one.com
AccuRev/CM AccuRev Inc. Solaris, Compaq Alpha Unix,
62 Harvard St. HP-UX, IRIX, RS/6000, FreeBS
D,
Brookline, MA 02445 Linux (Intel and PowerPC),
tel: 617-566-3914 WinNT Win2K client/server, W
indows
fax: 617-566-5035 9X clients.
in...@accurev.com Mac, more Unix, Java "soon"
Aldon/CMS Aldon Computer Group AS/400
1999 Harrison Street
Suite 1500
Oakland, CA 94612
tel.: 510-839-3535 (US)
+44.1932.355711 (UK)
in...@aldon.com
AllChange Intasoft Ltd. PC (MS-WFW, MS Windows
Tresco House Win95/98, WinNT), Sun Solari
s
Westpoint Court
Exeter EX5 1DJ UK
tel.: +44 (0) 1392-447780
FAX: +44 (0) 1392-447781
sa...@intasoft.net
Andromede Jean-Francois Combes Many Unix platforms,
Eslog Linux, LynxOS, VMS
2 bis, BUROSPACE
91571 Bievres CEDEX Client avail. on MS Windows
France
Tel:00 33 1 69 85 51 51
es...@club-internet.fr
CM Synergy Telelogic AB Tru64 Unix, HP-UX,
(World headquarters) IBM RS/6000, SGI, Siemens, S
un
PO Box 4128 PC (MS Windows, Win95/98,
Kungsgaten 6 SE-203 12 WinNT client, WinNT server)
Malmö, Sweden
tel: +46 (40) 174700
FAX: +46 (40) 174747
in...@telelogic.com
US headquarters
Telelogic North America Inc.
9401 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, CA 92618 USA
Tel: +1-949-830-8022
Fax: +1-949-830-8023
Change and Configuration Computer Associates IBM RS/6000 AIX,
Control (CCC/Harvest) 1 Computer Associates Plaza HP-UX, Sun (SunOS and
Islandia, N.Y. 11788 Solaris), Digital UNIX,
tel.: 1-800-225-5224 PC (OS/2, Win, Win/NT)
1-516-342-5224
ClearCase Rational Digital Unix, HP-UX, RS/6000,
20 Maguire Road SGI, Sun, PC (Red Hat Linux,
Lexington, MA 02421 Solaris, UnixWare, WinNT,
tel.: 781-676-2400 Win98)
800-728-1212 Attache provides client
FAX: 781-676-2420 functions for MS Windows.
email: in...@rational.com
or resold by DEC, SGI,
Sun Germany
Code Co-op Reliable Software PC (Win95, WinNT)
1011 Boren Ave
Suite 106
Seattle, WA 98104
tel.: 206-361-6679
Code Management System Digital Equipment Corp. DEC (OpenVMS/VAX,
(CMS) and Module DECdirect OpenVMS/alpha)
Management System (MMS) Continental Blvd.
Merrimack, NH 03054
tel.: 800-344-4825
Configuration Management IBM Corp. IBM RS/6000, Sun, HP-UX
Version Control (CMVC) 1133 Westchester Ave.
White Plains, NY 10604 Client only: PC (DOS,
tel.: 602-217-2025 OS/2, MS Windows)
CMVision and Expertware DEC (VMS, Ultrix, Unix),
Configuration Management 12901 Alcosta Blvd. Ste2A HP-UX, IBM RS/6000, PC
Facility (CMF) PO Box 1847 (SCO UNIX), Sun
San Ramon, CA 94583
tel.: 510-867-0315
CMWin Expertware, Inc.
130 Ryan Industrial Court
Suite 210
PO Box 1847
San Remon, CA 94583
Tel: 510-820-7020
510-867-0315
214-357-1485
FAX: 510-820-4123
CMZ CodeME s.a.r.l. PC (DOS), Win/NT
14, Rue de l'Eglise (on ALPHA/PC), DEC/Ultrix,
F-01630 St. Genis-Pouilly Digital Unix, VAX/VMS &
France Alpha/OPENVMS, Silicon
tel.: +33 50420914 Graphics IRIX, SUN (OS4 @amp
;
FAX: +33 50 42 09 14 Solaris), HP9000/700 HPUX,
distributed via CERN: Apollo, IBM RS/6000 AIX, IBM
cod...@cernvm.cern.ch VM/CMS, MVS/TSO, MVS/NEWLIB,
CRAY XMP/YMP UNICOS,
NeXtStep, LINUX,
Alliant, Convex, Gould
CONTROL-CS Network Concepts, Inc. Server: Compaq (Tandem)
9 Mt. Pleasant Turnpike NSK, HP-UX, Linux, SCO,
Denville, NJ 07834-3612 SGI, Sun Solaris, MS WinNT
tel.: 973-285-0202
n...@nci-sw.com Client: PC (MS Win95/98,
WinNT)
Corporate RCS Thompson Automation HP-UX, Sun (Solaris),
Software PC (DOS, MS Windows, WFW
5616 SW Jefferson Win95, WinNT, OS/2)
Portland, OR 97221
tel: 800-944-0139
503-224-1639
FAX: 503-224-3230
Disciplined Software Saint Mavris Technology most major UNIXes,
Management 15 Wardell Dr Windows
Lucas Heights
Sydney, NSW 2234
Australia
tel: 61-0403206586
FAX: 61-295410840
in...@mavris.com
DRTS ILSI Sun (SunOS), PC (DOS,
6235 E. Monte Carlo Ave MS Windows, Win95,
Scottsdale, AZ 85254 SCO UNIX)
tel.: 602-991-8281
FAX: 602-991-6324
il...@enet.net
Endevor Workstation Computer Associates
1 Computer Associates Plaza
Islandia, N.Y. 11788
1-800-225-5224
1-516-342-5224
ExcoConf Excosoft AB DEC OpenVMS, HP-UX,
Electrum 420 IBM AIX, Sun,
164 40 Kista
Sweden PC (MS Win3.1, Win95, NT)
tel.: +46 8 703 9190
FAX: +46 8 703 9490
in...@excosoft.se
FtpVC Gregory Nisnevich PC (MS Win95, NT)
(FTP Version Control) gre...@yahoo.com
Human-Oriented Aladdin Knowledge PC (MS Win95, NT)
Programming Environment Systems, Inc. (Sun Solaris in progress)
(HOPE)
tel.: 800-223-4277
tel.: 212-564-5678
FAX: 212-564-3377
hope....@us.aks.com
Software Manager Vertical Sky PC (MS-DOS, MS Windows,
2500 S Highland Ave Win/NT, OS/2, SCO UNIX),
Lombard IL 60148 Most UNIX's (H-P, IBM
RS/6000, Sun.
tel.: 1-800-633-1235 See writeup
or 1-630-495-2108 for others.)
FAX: 1-630-495-3591
sa...@VerticalSky.com
NeumaCM+ Neuma Technology Inc.
1010 Polytek Unit 2 HP-UX, Solaris, AIX,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada SGI, Linux, SCO SunOS,
K1J 9H8 OpenVMS, Win95, WinNT
tel.: 613-749-9450
FAX: 613-749-1416
sup...@neuma.com
Perforce Perforce Software 50+ including
2320 Blanding Ave most Unix vendors, plus
Alameda, CA 94501 FreeBSD and Linux),
tel: +1-510-864-7400 Windows/95, Windows/NT,
FAX: +1-510-864-5340 Macintosh, OS/2,
in...@perforce.com VMS, BeOS,
IBM OS/390 Open Edition
Product Configuration Tesseract Technologies PC (DOS)
Management (PCM) (Pty) Ltd (Windows / Win95 in dev.)
P.O. Box 9
Irene 1675
South Africa
tel.:+27-12-997-2427
415-981-1800
FAX: +27-12-997-1082
tess...@pixie.co.za
PVCS MERANT HP-UX, IBM AIX RS/6000,
701 East Middlefield Rd Sun Solaris, PC (SCO,
Mountain View, CA 94043 Win3.1, Win/NT, Win95)
tel.: 800-872-6265
FAX: 650-404-7217
Corporate Headquarters:
The Lawn
22-30 Old Bath Road
Newbury
Berkshire, England RG14 1QN
tel.: +1635 32646
FAX: +1635 33966
(PVCS) Synergex Linux, SCO UNIX, SCO
2330 Gold Meadow Way UnixWare, QNX, Apple
Gold River, CA 95670 Macintosh System 7.x, MIPS
tel.: 916-635-7300 ABI, DG AViiON, Digital
in...@synergex.com UNIX, OpenVMS/AXP, NCR,
AlphaNT, SVR4 iAPX,
Sequent's Dynix/Ptx,
and Sun OS.
QEF QEF Advanced Software Inc. Digital VMS with Posix
Toronto and Kitchener, HP-UX, IBM AIX, MS WinNT,
Ontario, Canada Solaris, UnixWare, IRIX,
in...@qef.com Linux, Lynx
PrimeCode Data Design Systems, Inc. Server: Tandem Himalaya
5915 Airport Blvd.
Suite 625 Clients: Unix,
Mississauga, ON L4V 1T1 PC (Win, Win95, Win/NT,
Canada OS/2)
tel.: 905-677-6666
FAX: 905-677-6671
sa...@datadesign.com
Razor Visible Systems Sun (both Solaris and
248 Main Street SunOS), HP, SGI,
Oneida, NY 13421 RS/6000, Digital Unix
tel.: 315-363-8000 Linux, PC(Win95/98,
FAX: 315-363-7488 WinNT)
razor...@visible.com
Revision Control Engine DuraSoft, GmbH MS Win3.x, Win95, WinNT,
(RCE) Breslauerstr. 14 OS/2,
D-76139 Karlsruhe AIX, HP-UX, IRIX, Linux,
Germany SCO, SunOS, Solaris,
tel.: +49 721 968-4664 Digital Unix
FAX: +49 721 968-4665
marketing: Dura...@ira.uka.de
support: R...@ira.uka.de
Software Configuration IBM Corp. A component of ISPF
Library Manager (SCLM) for IBM MVS mainframes
SABLIME Lucent Technologies (wide range of UNIX)
Group
10 Independence Blvd.
Room 3A-32
Warren, New Jersey 07059
tel.: 800-462-8146 or
908-580-6444
FAX: 908-580-6335
Europe: +45 43 42 13 42
Europe FAX: +45 43 42 23 42
Serena ChangeMan DS Serena Software Inc. HP/3000 (HP MPE/iX)
2755 Campus Drive, HP (HP-UX), HP NonStop,
3rd Floor IBM (AIX), Linux (Intel),
San Mateo, CA 94403 OS/390, OS/400, SCO UNIX,
tel.: 650-522-6600 SunOS/Solaris, AS400,
FAX: 650-522-6699 PC (MS Windows NT, Windows 2
000)
in...@serena.com
Serena Change Man ZMF Serena Software, Inc. IBM (MVS); Zos
2755 Campus Drive, interface available
3rd Floor
San Mateo, CA 94403
tel.: 650-522-6600
FAX: 650-522-6699
in...@serena.com
SoftBench CM Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, Solaris
3404 E. Harmony Road
Fort Collins, CO 80525
tel.: 1-800-738-4447
Dept. A225
Source Code Manager UniPress Software Inc Unix: HP, IBM, Sun,
2025 Lincoln Hwy SGI, SCO, DEC, Unixware,
Edison, NJ 08817 Linux
s...@unipress.com
tel.: 908-287-2100
800-222-0550
FAX: 908-287-4929
SourceOffSite SourceGear Corporation PC (Win95/98, WinNT)
Professional Edition 3200 Farber Drive Other clients: Linux, Solari
s
Champaign, IL 61822
tel.: 217-356-3213
sup...@sourceoffsite.com
StarTeam StarBase Corporation PC (Win95, WinNT),
4 Hutton Centre Dr. UNIX command line support
Suite 800
Santa Ana, CA 92707
USA
tel.: 714-445-4400
FAX: 714-445-4404
TeamConnection IBM Corp. UNIX and PC
1133 Westchester Ave.
White Plains, NY 10604
tel.: 602-217-2025
TeamSite Interwoven, Inc. Server: Windows NT,
1195 W. Fremont Ave.#2000 Sun Solaris
Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Client: Any System
tel.: 408-774-2000 with Web Browser
FAX: 408-774-2002 (NFS+SMB)
in...@interwoven.com
SPARCworks/TeamWare SunSoft Sun (SunOS, Solaris 2)
ProWorks/TeamWare 2550 Garcia Ave. Intel (Solaris, UnixWare)
Mountain View, CA 94043 HP (Early Access in 1994)
tel.: 1-800-SUNSOFT (U.S.)
+1 415-336-6848
FAX: +1 415-968-6396
sunpr...@sun.com
TLIB Burton Systems Software PC (DOS, Windows,
P.O.Box 4157 Win/NT, OS/2)
Cary, NC 27519-4157 USA
tel.: 1-919-233-8128
FAX: 1-919-233-0716
TRUEchange TRUE Software DEC (VAX/VMS, Digital
(formerly ADC/Pro) 300 Fifth Avenue UNIX), HP-UX, RS/6000 AIX,
Waltham, MA 02154 Siemens/Pyramid, SGI UNIX,
tel.: 781-890-4450 Sun (SunOS, Solaris,
FAX: 781-890-4452 Solaris x86), Sequent
in...@truesoft.com DYNIX, IBM MVS,
PC (MS Win95, Win/NT)
Turnover SoftLanding Systems AS/400
84 Elm Street
Peterborough, NH 03458
tel.: +1-603-924-8818
1-800-545-9485
FAX: +1-603-924-8508
webm...@softlanding.com
Visual Enabler Softlab Clients: PC (Win95, WinNT)
1000 Abernathy Rd, Servers: WinNT
Suite 1000 (AIX, HP-UX, Digital UNIX
Atlanta, GA 30328 planned 4Q97)
tel.: +1 770 668 8811
FAX: +1 770 668 8712
In...@SoftlabNA.com
Visual SourceSafe Microsoft Corp. PC (MS-DOS, MS Windows,
One Microsoft Way Win/NT: Intel, Alpha, MIPS),
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
tel.: 800-426-9400
FAX: 206-635-6100
Mainsoft UNIX (AIX, HP-UX,
1270 Oakmead Parkway, SPARC Solaris,
Suite 310 SGI MIPS)
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
tel.: 800-MAIN WIN (USA)
tel.: 408-774-3400
FAX: 408-774-3404
Metrowerks Corporation Macintosh
9801 Metric Boulevard
Austin TX 78758
tel.: 512-873-4700
FAX: 512-873-4901
sa...@metrowerks.com
Versions Of Outdated UNI Software Plus Macintosh
Documents Organized Softwarepark Hagenberg
Orthogonally (Voodoo) A-4232 Hagenberg
AUSTRIA (Europe)
FAX: +43 (7236) 37 69
voo...@unisoft.co.at
As with products in many markets, some CM Tools and vendors come in
and some leave. The following list contains information for products
which may be still in use, but for which newsgroup contributors were
unable to locate current market contacts or for which the vendors had
advised the tool was obsolete. They are listed here to help anwser
questions such as "Heard about tool XYZ?" (If any tools are
erroneously listed here, please accept my apologies and inform the FAQ
editor so it may be corrected.)
Commercial CM Products
Product Vendor Address Platforms
Adele Verilog SA HP-UX, Sun
150 Rue Nicolas Vauqelin
BP 1310, 31106
Toulouse Cedex, France (No longer marketed)
Domain Software Hewlett-Packard Co. Apollo
Engineering Environment 300 Apollo Drive
(DSEE) Chelmsford, MA 01824
tel.:
1-800-637-7740 (US)
1-800-387-3867 (Canada) (No longer marketed)
MS Delta Microsoft (Retired and replaced
by Visual SourceSafe)
SMS Intasoft (withdrawn, see AllChange)
5. Version Control Systems Generally Available "Free"
"Free" But Perhaps Not Fully Supported
There are a number of tools generally available at no charge - some
are delivered with most UNIX systems (so yes, you may pay for them,
but the price is bundled with what you pay your vendor already),
others need to be transferred from an archive site on the Internet
using a tool such as FTP. In some cases they will need to be compiled
at your site. Most come bundled with adequate documentation. Since
many of these tools are provided without support, it may not be
advisable to use them on some projects. For completeness, they have
been listed here despite that potential drawback. Those tools with
World Wide Web sites are listed in section 8, CM Tools With World Wide
Web Sites at the end of this document. (The Web site may provide more
specific product information than can be made available in this FAQ.)
/BriefCase Toolkit
The /BriefCase 3 Toolkit expands the basic capabilities of the
Revision Control System (RCS) commands to manage software system
component revisions throughout their development, release and
maintenance life-cycles. It runs on most Unix/Linux systems with the
generally available versions of the Korn Shell and awk. Available
since 1992 from Applied Computer Sciences, inc., /Briefcase source is
released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Contact them at
P.O.Box 8003; Cave Creek, AZ 85327; (voice) 623-465-8865, (fax)
623-465-1078 or email: brie...@applied-cs-inc.com or visit
http://www.applied-cs-inc.com/bcintro.html on the Web for additional
information.
Emacs Offers Extensions For Version Control
While not a CM tool in itself, Emacs 19 includes a mode called VC that
increases the leverage available from RCS, SCCS, or CVS, and decreases
the hassles of using those CM tools. VC automatically detects which
version control system is being used and auto-configures for it.
(Systems can be mixed and it will do the right thing). It hides the
details of registration, checkin, checkout and lock-stealing behind a
simple one-command "do the next logical thing" interface -- users
never leave Emacs. VC also includes functions for viewing version
diffs and change histories, making and retrieving named release
snapshots, and generating version-difference patches. It even supports
a modified Dired mode that allows you to do "batch" version-control
operations on groups of files (for example, it becomes trivial to
check in changes to 23 different files with the same change comment).
Additional information may be obtained by invoking Emacs 19 and typing
`M-x info RETURN m emacs RETURN m vc RETURN'.
Aegis
Aegis is a project change supervisor distributed under the GNU public
license. It was written by Peter Miller (mil...@canb.auug.org.au or
pet...@lucent.com). Reportedly it is a developer's tool, not a
manager's tool. It does not provide progress tracking or manage work
allocation. Aegis 2.2 copes with heterogenous environments.
While CVS (described elsewhere in this report) provides a repository;
aegis provides a repository, a baseline, mandatory reviews and
mandatory testing. Aegis may be configured to use almost any history
tool (such as RCS) and almost any dependency maintenance tool (such as
make), although traditional make may not be sufficiently capable.
The most significant point of departure between CVS and Aegis is
around the "checkin" function. Although CVS does have the ability to
run a script which allow or disallows a checkin before it occurs,
Aegis breaks this step into several pieces: the change must be known
to build, the change must have tests and those tests be known to have
run and passed, the change must then be reviewed (double check), and
then built and tested again (triple check).
The latest information and version of Aegis is available by HTTP from
http://www.canb.auug.org.au/~millerp/. Reference material, the
complete sourse, and its own FAQ are available.
BCS
BCS stands for Baseline Configuration System. It was written by Jay
Berkenbilt (e...@ql.org) and runs on UNIX only. Like CVS, BCS attempts
to add concurrency to an existing version control system, but it does
so with a different approach. The primary function of BCS is to
maintain a stable "baseline" controlled under RCS or SCCS and multiple
"staging areas" that are mirrors of the baseline (implemented as
symbolic link trees).
BCS is no longer being actively enhanced or maintained. The last
released version was 2.0.2. Version 3.0 alpha 6, from late 1995, is a
stable snapshot version that implements some of the changes specified
for version 3.0. No further releases are expected. Please email the
author (e...@ql.org) for further information.
CVS
CVS (Concurrent Versions System), which requires RCS (built in after
version 1.10), extends RCS to control concurrent editing of sources by
several users working on releases built from a hierarchical set of
directories. "RCS is [analogous to using] assembly language, while CVS
is [like using] Pascal", according to the author. Beginning with rev
1.8, a "cvs annotate" command displays the last modification for each
line of a file, with the revision number, user checking in the
modification, and date of the modification.
CVS is available for download from ftp://ftp.cvshome.org/pub/. A user
WWW site is available at http://www.loria.fr/~molli/cvs-index.html
Information about tkcvs, a Tk based graphical interface to CVS, may be
found at: http://www.twobarleycorns.net/tkcvs.html. Information about
a Web interface to CVS may be found at:
http://stud.fh-heilbronn.de/~zeller/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/.
Cervisia is a KDE graphical frontend for the the CVS client. It
features checking out a module from a repository; updating or
retrieving the status of a working directory or single files; common
operations like add, remove and commit; diff against the repository
and between different revisions; annotated view of a file; view of the
log messages in tree and list form; and resolving of conflicts in a
file. A changelog editor is integrated with commiting files. Cervisia
may be found at http://cervisia.sourceforge.net/.
WinCVS is a GUI front end for CVS. Versions are available (under the
terms of the GPL) for several platforms, including Windows and Mac.
More information may be found at http://www.wincvs.org/.
The Chrooted SSH CVS server HOW-TO, which describes the steps
necessary to setup a very network-secure CVS server, allowing SSH
access to chrooted CVS repositories may be found at
http://www.idealx.org/prj/idx-chrooted-ssh-cvs/dist/chrooted-ssh-cvs-s
erver.html.
GNU CSSC
An test release of GNU CSSC version 0.09 is available. This is still
an alpha edition (i.e., not a final release). CSSC is, of course,
covered by the GNU General Public License.
CSSC may be found in the file (about 375K long, compressed)
ftp://alpha.gnu.ai.mit.edu/pub/gnu/CSSC/CSSC-0.09alpha.pl0.tar.gz
GNU CSSC is a workalike for the traditional SCCS suite. If you didn't
already know what SCCS is, please use RCS instead of trying CSSC. This
software is not reccomended for new projects, but is a faithful
reproduction of SCCS, though some features may not be available yet.
The principal aim for the prerelease is to get CSSC tested on as many
platforms as possible, and to obtain new test suites so that more
extensive testing can be done.
Documentation is provided, but is very incomplete, and if you need
much documentation you should be using RCS or CVS instead.
Comments about the CSSC package should be directed to
j...@gnu.ai.mit.edu. CSSC was originally based on the public domain
package MySC, which was written by Ross Ridge.
ICE
Its authors report that the Incremental Configuration Engine (ICE) is
a tool that will provide a logic-based support for all areas of
configuration management, including integrated and uniform revision
and variant management, binary file repositories, inference of
configuration consistency, and deductive program construction, while
being as compatible as possible with existing standards.
Users have reported problems with crashes in the GUI and some "serious
problems" with the command line. It mapped filenames in the usual 8.3
PC NFS manner, even if the source file and archive files were on the
same Windows 95 disk, and it didn't do that mapping consistantly,
causing the user to be unable to check in two files with similar names
or to out a file which had been checked in because it mapped the name
differently. Although it is still available, ICE is no longer
maintained.
A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.cs.tu-bs.de/softech/ice/
ODE
The OSF Development Environment (ODE) from the Open Group is a
flexible development environment with build and source control
features and both private and public work areas for software
development. Additional information and download may be found at:
http://www.accurev.com/ode/index.html
Project Revision Control System (PRCS)
PRCS, the Project Revision Control System is the front end to a set of
tools that deal with sets of files and directories as an entity,
preserving coherent versions of the entire set.
PRCS was designed primarily by Professor P. N. Hilfinger, with input
and modifications by Luigi Semenzato and Josh MacDonald. PRCS is
written and maintained by Josh MacDonald.
Its purpose is similar to that of SCCS, RCS, and CVS, but (according
to its authors, at least), it is much simpler than any of those
systems.
PRCS can be found at ftp://XCF.Berkeley.EDU/pub/prcs. HTML
documentation and recent developments are available online at
http://www.xcf.berkeley.edu/~jmacd/prcs.html.
PRCS is released under the GNU public license.
RCS
RCS (Revision Control System) is often considered to be better than
SCCS. One reason for this is that RCS baselines the most recent
version and keeps deltas for earlier ones, making new development
faster. Additional discussions concerning SCCS vs RCS may be found in
the comp.unix.questions FAQ, section 7 at:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/unix-faq/faq/part7/
RCS still requires scripts to make life easier on the developer.
Originally created by Walter Tichy, RCS is still maintained by Purdue
(email to rcs-...@cs.purdue.edu). It is available on the GNU
distribution, has been widely ported, and is free.
RCS is available via anonymous FTP from
ftp://prep.ai.mit.edu/pub/gnu/rcs/ and its mirror sites. Specific
ports have been found at:
site filename
wuarchive.wustl.edu systems/amiga/aminet/dev/misc/HWGRCS* (Amiga port)
systems/atari/umich.edu/Programming/rcs* (Atari port)
DOS and NT versions have been available at http://www.winsite.com/.
RCS works best with GNU diffutils 2.7; look for diffutils-2.7.tar.Z.
Many CASE tools interface with RCS.
The FSF offers a book (108 pgs.) and CD-ROM containing the DJGPP port
of GCC and many GNU utilities, including Diffutils and RCS. More
information can be found at: http://www.fsf.org/order/windows.html
rcsview - RCS and CVS file viewer
Written in Tcl, rcsview is a companion tool that allows you to view
the different versions of an ASCII file that is being maintained under
RCS or CVS. Each line is colored according to the file version from
which it came. The initial version to view may be specified on the
command line; if no version is specified, the most recent version is
viewed. It is available by ftp from:
ftp.pmg.lcs.mit.edu/pub/andru/rcsview-1.2.tar.gz - its author is
Andrew Myers (an...@lcs.mit.edu).
SCCS
SCCS (Source Code Control System) is comes with most UNIX
distributions. It has been ported to many different platforms, but is
no longer being enhanced or improved. Though disputed, the general
consensus has been that this tool is clumsy and not suited to large
numbers of users working on one project. A common misconception is
that SCCS baselines the initial version and keeps deltas to create
newer versions. Actually, SCCS interleaves all the versions; this is
not as bad as the common misconception, but it can make new
development get progressively slower. Many people place scripts around
the SCCS commands to improve the user interface.
ShapeTools
The shape toolkit (ShapeTools) is a set of commands for change
control, developed by Axel Mahler, Andreas Lampen and others at the
Technical University of Berlin. It consists of a repository (the
Attributed File System), version control programs, a build driver
(compatible with make), release management system, and EMACS editor
interface. ShapeTools 1.3 was released in late May 1992; it runs on
many UNIX variants.
ShapeTools is available from ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/plan/shape/
In addition, gatekeeper has a mail archive server; send a message to
ftp...@gatekeeper.dec.com whose body contains the single line "help".
A user WWW site is available at
http://swt.cs.tu-berlin.de/~shape/index.html
Subversion
The Subversion project (available under an Apache/BSD-style open
source license) is intended as a replacement for CVS in the open
source community. In addition to including all current CVS features,
it provides versioning of directories, file renames, and file
meta-data and it supports symbolic lynks. Commits are atomic; revision
numbers are per-commit, not per-file. For more information, see their
Web site at: http://subversion.tigris.org/.
5-b. Tools to "make" or "build" Software
While these are not "CM" tools in the general sense, the make or build
function is an intimate part of the overall CM process. Some
commercial CM tools include their own make or build capability. There
are also stand-alone commercial build tools available, but those are
beyond the scope of this FAQ. The tools listed here all have source
which is freely available and these tools have been mentioned in
articles posted on this newsgroup. Please follow the pointers to the
specific tool information.
Ant
Ant is a Java based build tool which is different from other "make"
type tools. Ant is extended using Java classes rather than shell
commands. Instead of writing shell commands and the configuration
files are XML based calling out a target tree where various tasks get
executed rather than Makefiles. For more information, see the Web site
at http://jakarta.apache.org/ant/.
Bake
Bake is an intelligent Open Source build tool for developers. Its
features include: "automagic dependency information gathering" and it
is released under the WERKEN PUBLIC LICENSE (WPL), an Open Source
license. Additional information may be found at
http://bake.werken.com/.
Bras
Rule Based Command Execution: http://bras.berlios.de/ It is written in
Tcl, so no compilation is required. Its rules include a Tcl-syntax so
that commands associated with rules may contain control structures.
BuildRef
This toolset manages references between baseline builds when compiling
large software projects that consist of multiple smaller projects. It
is listed with other utilities at:
http://www.sander.cupertino.ca.us/source.html
Cons
A software construction system: http://www.dsmit.com/cons/ CONS is a
Perl5-based replacement for MAKE, though it is not compatible with
make. Reportedly, it has a number of capabilities not found in other
software construction systems, including make. CONS supports building
on both UNIX operating systems and Windows NT. CONS is distributed
under a license similar to the BSD license. An FAQ is available at
http://www.baldmt.com/cons-faq/
Cook
A software build tool: http://www.canb.auug.org.au/~millerp/cook.html
Cook is a tool for constructing files. It is given a set of files to
create, and recipes of how to create them. The source distribution is
self configuring using a GNU Autoconf generated configure script.
Jam
Make(1) Redux: http://www.perforce.com/jam/jam.html Jam/MR is a
make(1) replacement that makes building simple things simple and
building complicated things manageable. The Jam/MR source code is
freely available from Perforce Software, and comes with no warranty,
guarantee, or user support.
Odin
Not a CM tool, but according to author Geoffrey Clemm, Odin is a
simpler, more reliable, and more powerful replacement for Make. It is
designed to combine the simplicity and elegance of the original Make
program with the power of the latest super-Makes. Some of Odin's
features include:
* building several variants concurrently from a single source tree
* parallel builds on multiple remote hosts
* persistent dependency database with incremental update
* building directly from arbitrary versions of RCS and SCCS files,
without requiring checkout of working copy
* complete separation between build rules and system definitions
Odin is distributed under the GNU General Public License. The source
code and reference manual for Odin can be retrieved via anonymous ftp
from ftp://ftp.cs.colorado.edu/pub/distribs/odin/ You can subscribe to
the Odin mailing list (od...@cs.colorado.edu) by sending a "subscribe
odin" mail message to odin-r...@cs.colorado.edu.
SCons
SCons is a software construction tool (build tool, or alternative to
Make) implemented in Python, based on the winning design in the
Software Carpentry build tool competition (in turn based on the Cons
build tool). A web site is available at: http://www.scons.org/.
6. Commercial Configuration Management Tools
Growing Number On Market
With an increased emphasis on software development costs, more
companies have begun offering stand-alone configuration management
tools. It is impossible to provide user's comments concerning all the
available tools. A brief summary of the tools mentioned most
frequently on the Usenet newsgroup comp.software.config-mgmt is
provided below so that your site may decide if it would be appropriate
to consider one of these tools. These comments do not necessarily
reflect the opinion or experiences of the author of this document.
Contact information such as address and phone number may be found in
section 4, Commercial Vendor Contact List, of this document. Those
products with World Wide Web sites are listed in section 8, CM Tools
With World Wide Web Sites at the end of this document. (The Web site
may provide more specific product information than can be made
available in this FAQ.)
+1CM
+1CM from +1 Software Engineering is one of fourteen products
supporting the +1Environment. It supports multiple users working on a
common project over a network. GUI is based on the graphical calling
structure of the source code. +1CM supports all basic CM commands,
baselines, and predefined CM reports. With +1CR, +1CM supports process
management. With +1Base, generates makefiles for C, C++, FORTRAN,
Pascal, and other languages. Also provides support for Ada libraries.
A supplier WWW site is available at http://www.plus-one.com
AccuRev/CM
AccuRev(tm), from AccuRev Inc. (formerly Ede Development Enterprises)
is a transaction based internet client/server CM tool. It
automatically versions directories, provides transaction-oriented (as
opposed to file-oriented) pre & post triggers which can run on both
the client and the server. AccuRev has been written from scratch and
is not built on top of an existing system such as RCS or SCCS.
Users have reported that installation was simple and the features were
useful and robust. Particularly liked was its implicit branching.
AccuRev provides good support wih rapid turn-around on questions and
is integrated with the company's problem management tool,
AccuRev/Dispatch.
A supplier WWW site is available at http://www.accurev.com
AllChange
AllChange is a full-featured configuration management and change
control system with integrated problem management from Intasoft. Its
features include:
* version creation, tracking, restoration
* user-definable life-cycles with action triggering for automated
procedures
* change request/fault tracking, with actions and links to objects
* workspaces, shared pools, full configuration building
* baselines, releases, monitors, registers, ...
* query/reporting facilities
* metrics generation and graphical reporting
* completely configurable; script language; open interface to tools
* Motif/Windows GUIs or command line
* available for Unix, Windows 3.x, NT and 95
* client/server support
A user reports it is a very flexible configuration management system
which may be configured to match whatever life-cycle you are using and
to enforce whatever constraints you need. Support has been good. A
supplier WWW site is available at http://www.intasoft.net
CCC/Harvest, CCC/Manager, CCC QuikTrak
The Change and Configuration Control (CCC) family of change and
configuration control products provide comprehensive CM solutions for
every major computing platform, from mainframe to VAX to UNIX to PC,
including cross-platform, client/server environments.
CCC/Harvest is Computer Associates' (formerly Platinum Technology) CM
solution specifically designed for cross-platform, client/server
software development environments. CCC/Harvest utilizes commercially
available RDBMSs, integrated problem tracking, an API and GUI to
provide process management, visibility and control over the entire
development life cycle. CCC/Harvest also provides robust CM features
that automate version control, change packaging, staging, concurrent
and parallel development, multiple releases, emergency maintenance and
software customization. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.cai.com/products/ccm/
CCC/Manager is a CM tool for homogeneous development environments that
automates the management of version control, change packaging,
staging, concurrent and parallel development, multiple releases,
emergency maintenance and software customization. CCC/Manager is
available for Windows, OS/2, Windows NT, Sun-4/SPARCstation, HP9000,
DEC RISC/ULTRIX, IBM RS/6000, Silicon Graphics and SCO. CCC/Life Cycle
Manager provides CM for IBM/MVS systems, including component and
application management, application merging, parallel development and
vendor code maintenance.
CCC QuikTrak is a powerful, automated change and version management
tool for Excel spreadsheet users that keeps track of multiple
spreadsheet versions and allows users to quickly compare versions and
identify the impact of their changes. It also conserves disk space by
saving only the changes made to spreadsheets instead of a duplicate of
the entire file. CCC QuikTrak appears directly within Excel as an
additional menu in the menu bar.
ClearCase
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
CM Synergy
CM Synergy from Telelogic (which acquired Continuus Software Corp.,
formerly CaseWare, Inc., formerly Amplify Control) is an interactive
development environment emphasizing configuration management. Its
client/server architecture can be distributed across all supported
platforms to implement distributed development and SCM. A supplier WWW
site is available at http://www.telelogic.com/
CMF
Configuration Management Facility (CMF) supports a hierarchy of
projects, end items and files. Components from the controlled area can
easily be moved into and out of the user's staging area. Files can be
shared using links; when parallel development is turned on for a link,
branching is enabled. There is a facility for problem reports and an
extensive capability for forms building and filling. The Build Support
Tool provides templates for Makefiles. In addition to the menu driven
and command line interfaces, common commands can be executed from the
operating system via C functions. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.cmvision.com/
Code Co-op
Reliable Software's Code Co-op is a server-less version control system
for the PC which enables programmers to exchange scripts via the
Internet. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.relisoft.com/co_op/
CMS and MMS
Included in Digital Equipments Corp.'s DECset are CMS and MMS. CMS:
Code Management System; Code libraries and configuration control. MMS:
Module Management System; Like make integrated to CMS. These products
are operational on VMS platforms. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.openvms.compaq.com/commercial/decset/decset_index.html
CMVC
IBM Configuration Management and Version Control (CMVC) is a
client-server based tool provided with both a GUI and command line
interface. It performs integrated defect/feature tracking and source
control. Source files are stored in file trees known as Releases. CMVC
encourages file sharing via the concept of File Links. A File may be
linked to several Releases. Within Releases, files can be grouped into
Components. Components are arranged in a tree-like structure.
Components provided logical grouping as well as notification and
access control to the files and associated Defects. CMVC also provides
the concept of a Level, which can be thought of as snapshot (in time)
of a given Release. All information about files, defects, etc is
stored in a relational database. This makes CMVC a powerful tool for
reporting and information gathering. A front-end tool allows users to
perform SQL queries. A choice of databases is available, including
Sybase, DB/6000, Oracle, and Informix. It is well suited to medium to
large projects. This product has been replaced by IBM TeamConnection.
CMZ
CMZ is a code and text manager for all programming and text processing
languages. It is widely used in all High Energy Physics Institutions
to provide version archiving, editing, checking, and library
management functions. There are some additional built-in utilities to
aid C and Fortran users. CMZ files can be binary compressed to
minimize the use of disk space. CMZ binary compressed files can be
copied from one platform to another without conversion or they can be
accessed through mounts over a heterogeneous network via NFS, AFS,
etc. CMZ provides an identical user interface on all platforms listed
in the table above. In addition, the vendor says they are committed to
supporting CMZ on all new popular platforms so that CMZ customers can
be assured of continued support in the future. A supplier WWW site is
available at http://wwwinfo.cern.ch/cmz/
CONTROL-CS
Network Concepts began offering an SCM tool called CONTROL to the
Tandem (now Compaq) computer market place in 1982. It now also offers
a client-server product, CONTROL-CS. The client runs under several PC
operating systems. Servers are availabile for Compaq NSK, WinNT, and
UNIX platforms. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.nci-sw.com/
Corporate RCS
Corporate RCS by Thompson Automation Software manages software
versions over mutliple platforms. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.tasoft.com/
Disciplined Software Management
Disciplined Software Management by Saint Mavris Technology is a
client/server system. It contains three functional areas: Software
Development for version control, make and build; Software Management
for software distribution and releasing; Discipline 4GL, is a 4GL used
for implementing the user interface, screens, and commands. The entire
functionality of Discipline consists of server transactions which can
be invoked locally or remotely by a Discipline 4GL program. This
architecture allows it to be tailored to the exact user requirements
and methodology. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.mavris.com/
DRTS
The Distributed Revision Tracking System (DRTS) by ILSI provides
software configuration management. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/samurai/ilsi/
DSEE
Domain Software Engineering Environment (DSEE - pronounced dizzy) by
Apollo (now Hewlett-Packard) was an excellent program that had
excellent version control and managed builds for the user. These
builds could be customized easily to a specific purpose and spread out
over several different machines simultaneously. It was excellent for
large development projects. DSEE's main problem was that it could not
be ported to other machines since it used the proprietary facilities
of Domain/OS. Hewlett-Packard has classified Domain/OS as "mature" and
most customers have migrated to HP-UX (which will not run DSEE) and
many chose ClearCase as their CM tool replacement. DSEE was marketed
only by Hewlett-Packard and is no longer sold. It is included here for
historical reference (and because a few sites were still using it even
after 2000).
ExcoConf
ExcoConf by Excosoft AB is reportedly a high-end SCM tool available
for multiple platforms. Marketed since 1986, about 80% of its 200
customers are located in Sweden. Its customer base includes 3-4000
users world wide. Since little has been mentioned on the newsgroup
about it, user comments are requested. Please send them to the FAQ
editor (see bottom of this FAQ).
Endevor Workstation
Endevor Workstation from Computer Associates Intnl. automates the
software development process, including software configuration
management. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.cai.com/products/endevor_ws.htm
FtpVC (FTP Version Control)
FtpVC (FTP Version Control) is a simple shareware MS Windows 95 and
Windows NT version control system available by ftp from Gregory
Nisnevich. It allows "joined" software development using Internet FTP
connections. Developers may perform simple SCM tasks such as get,
check out, check in, and undo check out files on a remote server. This
program lacks some features that are common to modern version control
systems such as file versioning, branching, merging, and other
advanced features. However, since it utilizes a full file copy, there
is no server configuration or complex database to be administered. A
supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.nisnevich.com/ftpvc/ftpvc.htm.
HOPE
HOPE is an object-oriented team programming environment for C/C++ and
Java which runs on PCs. A version for Solaris under development.
NeumaCM+
NeumaCM+ from Neuma Technology Inc. provides Configuration Management,
Version Control, Change Control, Product Management, Problem Tracking,
Activity Tracking, Build Management, Document Management, and
Requirements Tracking.
PCM
Tesseract Technology is a small South African company with a suite of
DOS products, including Product Configuration Management (PCM).
Evaluation copies are available at no cost. A supplier WWW site is
available at ftp://lia.co.za/pub/tesseract/tsrhome.htm
PERFORCE
PERFORCE by Perforce Software is a client/server system which
emphasises performance and provides such features as versioning,
change control, shared access, and auditing for software production
teams. Users have reported that while it uses more disk space than
some competing products, its sparser use of the network offers
advantages. Reportedly, it is a very nice SCM system at a very
reasonable price. It includes atomic change transactions where a group
of changes is either all commited or none of it is commited (as in
database transactions). It has a branching and merging mechanism.
Although it doesn't have the power of a top tier product, it certainly
is a product to consider for serious projects requiring the features
it offers. A supplier WWW site is available at http://www.perforce.com
PVCS
PVCS by MERANT (formed by the combination of Micro Focus and
Intersolv) offers basic of support for CM, using SCCS-like commands.
It may be more appropriate for small development projects than some of
the more complex or more costly products. Reportedly, changes in
recent revisions offer more substantial features, but user experience
and comment on the newsgroup have not become prevalent yet. Problem
tracking is provided via integrations with third-party products such
as Control First by Repository Technology (708-515-0780). A supplier
WWW site is available at http://www.merant.com
QEF Software Process Automation System
QEF from Advanced Software Inc. is a commercial product which drives
the software process. It integrates with the version management
system, with the test and auditing tools and is available on major
platforms from PCs through to mainframes. A supplier WWW site is
available at http://www.qef.com
Quma Version Control System (QVCS)
Author Jim Voris (ji...@clark.net) reports that although QVCS is not a
heavyweight product, it is a good fit for smaller projects with a team
size of 10 or less. A version of QVCS is available for 32-bit Windows
platforms (95 and NT); a separate version is available for 16-bit
Windows. Both products include command line tools and a GUI interface.
QVCS provides many of the same features as more expensive commercial
tools. QVCS may be obtained via anonymous FTP from ftp.clark.net in
/pub/jimv/qvcs1625.zip (for 16 bit users) or /pub/jimv/qvcs3225.zip
(for 32-bit users). A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.qumasoft.com/.
RAZOR
RAZOR from Visible Systems Corporation (formerly from Tower Concepts)
is an easily tailored configuration management package with an
integrated problem tracking system. It offers control and coordination
of file versioning and product build management for both ASCII and
binary files. Its easily parsed ASCII database encourages users to
generate their own scripts for report generation and process control.
By attaching shell scripts both before and after Razor events, the
tool becomes an enforcement vehicle for the development process. Razor
is available on SunOS, Solaris, HPUX, AIX, IRIX, Linux, and MS WinNT
with clients also on MS Win95/98/NT. A supplier WWW site is available
at http://www.razor.visible.com
A company representative stressed that it is extremely easy to try out
their product. Both documentation and a full copy of the product for
evaluation are available by FTP. New releases and patches are handled
in the same manner.
RCE
DuraSoft is now the marketing partner of Mr. Walter F. Tichy, the
developer of both RCS and the Revision Control Engine (RCE). The
product has been on the market since 1994. In 1997 RCE was totally
rewritten, and by March 1998, a brand new GUI is expected.
Byte Differencing Engine (BDE) is a new API for difference encoding
now available from DuraSoft. The API is taken from the core of RCE.
Like RCE, BDE can work with any kind of data.
SABLIME
SABLIME by Lucent Technologies (formerly AT&T Software Solutions)
provides managers and developers with a tool that tracks changes to a
product consisting of software, hardware, firmware, and/or documents,
from its origination, through maintenance, delivery, and support. It
has an integrated Modification Request capability. A supplier WWW site
is available at http://www.bell-labs.com/project/sablime
Serena ChangeMan DS
Serena ChangeMan DS (formerly known as eChangeMan and before that as
Diamond CM) by Serena Software, Inc. has been available in the HP/3000
market since the 1980s as VCS-UX by Diamond Optimum Systems. In the
late 1990s, the product became available on UNIX and was known as
Diamond CM. In mid-1999 Serena Software acquired Diamond Optimum
Systems and the product was renamed. Beginning with release 5.0.6
there was a new MS Windows GUI as well as a Java-based version.
Originally a version control product, Serena ChangeMan DS now has a
complete Configuration Management focus and has become a comprehensive
cross-platform development workbench environment, which offers process
control, version control, release / build management, programming
editor, software distribution, and other features. A supplier WWW site
is available at http://www.serena.com/product/cm_prod.html
User comments have not been received at this time. Please contact the
FAQ editor if you have used this product and can comment.
Serena ChangeMan ZMF
Serena Change Man ZMF, by Serena Software, Inc. is a process-based SCM
solution for MVS environments. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.serena.com.
Software Configuration Library Manager (SCLM)
SCLM by IBM is a component of ISPF, which is which is part of OS/390
and the newer z/OS mainframes. It manages (MVS) sources and binaries,
features build, promote (move from one development level to another),
source versioning and common sources among different projects. A user
reports "it has its limitations but can be customized and extended to
do very useful things." A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.ibm.com/software/ad/ispf/
Software Manager
Software Manager from Vertical Sky, wholly-owned group of Mortice Kern
Systems, Inc (MKS) was formerly known as MKS Source Integrity from
Mortice Kern Systems. It thinks and works like most software
development teams do -- in terms of team based, project oriented, and
cross platform development environments. Key features include complete
project management facilities, Visual Merge, new reporting
capabilities, event triggers, a new configuration language,
integration into Visual C++ and Borland C++, an automated building
process, file promotion, and NetWare specific functionality. MKS
Source Integrity is available on DOS, OS/2, Windows, Windows NT, and a
variety of UNIX platforms. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.verticalsky.com/solutions/
Source Code Manager
Source Code Manager (SCM), from UniPress Software Inc, is a
configuration management tool for Unix users which supports parallel
development on multiprogrammer projects. SCM supports command line and
X Windows interfaces, multisite, integrated problem tracking and many
other advanced features and reports. A free single user -- but
multiple working copy -- version of SCM, called SCM-lite, is available
on the UniPress Web site, http://www.unipress.com/free_evals/ or via
anonymous ftp on eridani.unipress.com/pub/free_evals. SCM and SCM-lite
are available for most Unix platforms.
SourceOffSite
SourceOffSite by SourceGear Corporation is a 3rd party add-on to
Visual SourceSafe. It allows companies with remote development teams
to have fast, secure, and easy-to-use access to a centralized Visual
SourceSafe(TM) database via any TCP/IP connection. SourceOffSite is a
client/server application with file compression, strong encryption,
and a "VSS like" client that supports all major Visual SourceSafe
operations. SourceOffSite does not require Windows Remote Access
Service (RAS). In addition to MS Windows, clients are available for
Linux and Solaris.
StarTeam
StarTeam by StarBase Corporation offers common version control
features such as check-in/check-out, branching and merging, multiple
directory support, and key-word expansion, plus integrated interface
features to improve ease of use. Some of the additional features
include version and build labels and an integrated defect tracking
component.
StarTeam has a good combination of both version-control and integrated
bug-tracking, plus some nice features such as threated messaging,
internet client-server, and a web client interface option. It supports
a visual merge within the tool. Unlike some of the other middle-market
priced tools, it runs as a server and client on Windows NT, not
requiring a UNIX server. For best performance, users have reported
that the archives should reside on the same machine which is running
the StarTeam service.
Version 4.1 added a new IDE and database support. StarTeam
interoperates with both Visual SourceSafe and PVCS archives. Other
features added with version 4 include MS Project 98 integration for
project planning a well as COM and Java class interfaces for client
use over the Internet from non-Windows operating systems.
Some users have reported data losses, particularly in multi-processor
installations where all "service packs" have not been installed.
(StarBase has reported that this problem was traced to Microsoft SQL
Server 6.5 failure. If StarTeam process was run on a separate system
this problem did not occur.) StarBase's tech support line has received
praise from several users.
A supplier WWW site is available at http://www.starbase.com.
TeamConnection
IBM's VisualAge TeamConnection Enterprise Server is a repository-based
software configuration management (SCM) system designed for a team
programming environment. It uses IBM's DB2 Universal database and
repository technology. With VisualAge TeamConnection, you can manage
and control development projects, increase team productivity and
improve overall software quality. VisualAge TeamConnection supports
multiple platforms. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.software.ibm.com/ad/teamcon/
TeamSite
Interwoven's TeamSite is a CM product specifically designed for
Large-Scale complex web design. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.interwoven.com/
TeamWare
SPARCworks/TeamWare from SunSoft is a visual code management
environment featuring tools for both configuration management and for
managing team software development processes. SPARCworks/TeamWare
includes easy-to-use, graphical tools for version control (VerTool),
workspace and directory management (CodeMgrTool), source file
configuration archiving (FreezePtTool), project build acceleration
(PMake), and automatic file merging (FileMerge).
SPARCworks/TeamWare is not based on a proprietary file system.
Instead, it relies on standard UNIX utilities and services like SCCS
and NFS. Development teams that are already using SCCS can quickly
adopt SPARCworks/TeamWare--even continue to use their SCCS wrappers.
It has no special networking or administrative requirements, and gives
users the ability to customize according to their own development
methodologies. There is both an intuitive graphical user interface and
command line access, controls for workspace access and notification,
and easy manipulation of workspace directories for changing project
needs and multiple releases.
A free "Try and Buy" 30-day software evaluation kit is available.
TLIB
TLIB by Burton System Software provides version control for PC users.
In addition to its features, it has the advantage of being relatively
inexpensive. It handles both text and binaries and even binary deltas.
It can do merges and and snapshots and reportedly the vendor has
excellent tech support. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.burtonsys.com.
TRUEchange
TRUEchange (formerly known as Aide-de-Camp or ADC) from TRUE Software
provides an entity relationship database to store attributes of and
relationships between files. Changes that are made are flexible until
they are installed. A logical change to a version of software is
captured as a change set, a concept critical to ADC. Developers work
on their own branch by creating a personal change set. All files
associated with a change set may be checked in at the same time.
Special language scanners determine structural relationships
automatically from the source code and this information is used to
ensure that builds are performed when required.
A supplier WWW site is available at http://www.truesoft.com/
VisualEnabler
Visual Enabler from Softlab (a subsidiary of auto maker BMW) is a
software configuration management toolset for mid to large Windows
development teams that build and deploy applications using Visual C++,
Visual Basic and Visual J++. VE is based on object repository
technology and has very tight integration to Visual C++, Visual Basic
and Visual J++. VE is designed to provide all the benefits of CM in a
"developer friendly" package. A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.softlabna.com/.
Visual SourceSafe
SourceSafe provides for true project level configuration control. In
1995, SourceSafe was taken over by Microsoft and re-named. According
to their sales office, Microsoft added conversion utilities from Delta
and PVCS. The 4.0 release includes support for long filenames and UNC
paths, a tab dialog for setting options, localization into 5
languages, a Windows95 look and feel, and tight integration into
Visual Basic, Visual C, Visual Test, and Fortran PowerStation.
It has a very nice model for setting up multiple versions of a
project. The key commands are the share, branch, merge, links, and
paths commands. Rather than using numbers to branch, such as version
2.3.6.1 in SCCS, a logical release or customer name can be used to
implement the same construct. SourceSafe also runs on many platforms
so it can be used for a client/server project where coding is being
done on a Windows PC using Visual Basic, and on a UNIX workstation
using C. It is competitively priced and easy to install and configure.
The Microsoft System Journal (May, 1993) named SourceSafe as the best
Windows based configuration mangement tool. The SourceSafe label
command can be used to take a snapshot of the entire project, assign
that version a name. The operation is rapid, even if there are 2000
programs in the project. SourceSafe integrates with VisualStudio which
automates checkin/checkout of code as developers work with files.
Several mid and high end defect-tracking tools integrate with
SourceSafe.
It has been reported that a user can access several projects at one
time in SourceSafe, but that SourceSafe security is not very
elaborate; it only has 4 levels of security: read-only, checkout, add,
and destroy. This may be sufficient for some projects, but not for
others. SourceSafe does not deal with project building (interfacing
with Makefiles and compiling, for example). It also does not interface
with a problem tracking tool, although that may be in the works. There
have been numerous reports posted on the newsgroup of corrupted
SourceSafe data repositories, particularly with large repositories or
when the disk containing it begins to become full.
A supplier WWW site is available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/ssafe/
MainSoft Visual SourceSafe for UNIX
SourceSafe was originally written for the PC. Mainsoft used their
product MainWin in concert with the Microsoft Visual SourceSafe code
to produce a UNIX version of the familiar Microsoft product. This
product includes a Win95-style GUI. Databases can be shared between
UNIX and MS Windows platforms by using Samba. Visual SourceSafe allows
project level (as opposed to file level) maintenance of software
source code, testing scripts and project documents. Version 5.0
includes extensive functionality to assist web developers such as
routines to test hypertext links and to upload files to live web
sites. Further information on the product can be obtained either from
Mainsoft Corporation (http://www.mainsoft.com) or from the European
distributor OpenGate Software (http://www.opengate.co.uk/opengate/).
Metrowerks Visual SourceSafe for Macintosh
Metrowerks produces the Macintosh version of Visual SourceSafe. It is
fully compatible with Microsoft's Windows-based Visual Source Safe.
Additional information is available at http://www.metrowerks.com.
Voodoo
Voodoo is a version management tool for the management of projects in
which files are created in numerous versions. Since Voodoo is capable
of managing arbitrary files, the program can be employed for more than
just the organization of software projects in a narrow sense (program
development).
Voodoo allows both variant and revision control, and it manages not
only variants and revisions of single files, but of a whole software
project (multi files, multi users, multi variants, access rights,
...). The tool offers a graphical user interface.
A lite version of Voodoo is being distributed on a low cost shareware
basis. The current version is available from the vendor's ftp-server
at:
ftp.swe.uni-linz.ac.at in /pub/voodoo
The full (commercial) version of Voodoo is being distributed
world-wide by UNI Software Plus.
A supplier WWW site is available at
http://www.unisoft.co.at/products/voodooserver.html
7. Tools Related To Configuration Management
Embedded In Other Tools
Many of the large and expensive case-tools have a version control
mechanism embedded within them. It may be sufficient to use such a
tool.
Araxis Merge
Araxis Merge, by Araxis, Ltd., is a visual file comparison/merging
(two and three way) and folder synchronization application for MS
Windows platforms. Softlab's Visual Enabler ships with Araxis Merge.
Full information about the product (including a trail version) is
available through their Web site at http://www.araxis.com/.
DateWise FileCompare
DateWise FileCompare is a patented (No. 6,236,993) file comparison
system that is able to compare files with expected differences without
providing detailed file specifications. For example, many compilers
and linkers embed several timestamps in their binary output (e.g.
Microsoft VC++). Every manufacturer of compilers and linkers place the
timestamps at different locations within the files, vary formats,
etc., making it impractical to try to write a comparison function for
a specific file type. Those timestamps have a side effect of
prohibiting CM personnel from independently verifying that modules
that the programmer states have not been changed are identical to
versions supplied with the last release. DateWise FileCompare will
compare the files, telling the user whether they match or not
(excluding any expected embedded timestamp differences) and in what
value range it found in the timestamps or where the unreconcilable
differences were within the file. Another example of CM usage is
verifying that compiler switches have not inadvertently been changed
when upgrading to a new development machine.
Technical/application info may be found at http://www.datewise.com/mt.
DateWise FileCompare is available as a utility for DOS/Windows, Linux,
Solaris, HP-UX, and MVS platforms from:
DateWise, Ltd
3192 Ebonywood Ct
Dublin, OH 43017
Email: in...@datewise.com
Tel/FAX: 614-799-2521.
Merge Right
Merge Right is not a full fledged version or configuration management
tool, but it addresses one of the most important parts of such
systems, support for management and integration of multiple versions
and releases. While Merge Right does not provide check-in and
check-out it is designed to work closely with other tools that do:
integrations for RCS and SCCS are contributed, and integrations to
Continuus/CM and Atherton Technology Software BackPlane are supported
by those vendors. Integrations to other CM tools (Rational ClearCase,
TeamOne TeamNet, etc.) and even custom and internal tools are easy -
even if files are versioned only by different names or extensions.
Merge Right is available from:
Prescient Software, Inc.
3494 Yuba Avenue; San Jose, CA 95117-2967;
Email: mcgr...@netcom.com
tel: 408-985-1824; fax: 408-985-1936
Non-Software-Development Tools
There are a number of version management tools on the market which
address areas other than software development. Since these do not
include the capability to "build" software, in-depth coverage was not
considered FAQ. If, however, you have a project which is independent
of software development, it may make more sense to consider one of
those tools rather than force-fit that project into the same tool
being used for software.
Some examples of such tools are:
* ComponentSoftware RCS (CS-RCS) by ComponentSoftware Ltd.; 5
Bar-Ilan St.; Givat Shemuel; Israel 54101; tel: +972-3-5320085; A
GNU RCS compatible document revision control system for Windows
95/NT. See http://www.ComponentSoftware.com or write
in...@ComponentSoftware.com.
* Data Management and Control Software (DMCS) by by Structural
Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC); Milford, OH; 513-576-2400
* ERA by Salinas Technology; Montreal, Canada; tel.: 514-369-4161
* Implementor by Golden Coast Software; 15932 W. State Road 84; Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida 33326; tel: 305-389-7848
* Integrated Document Control System (IDoCS) by Micro Engineering
Solutions Inc.; Meriden, CT; tel.: 203-630-3630
* Document Management Solutions from IntraNet Solutions, Inc.; 9625
West 76th Street, Suite 150; Elden Prarie, MN 55344; tel.:
612-903-2000 or 800-989-8744
There are many other such tools. Check the appropriate industry
periodicals for additional listings.
_________________________________________________________________
8. CM Tools With World Wide Web Sites
As the popularity and accessibility of the World Wide Web (WWW) has
grown, tool vendors and dedicated users have begun providing tool
information on their WWW servers. The content may vary widely, and
some will contain significant marketing information, rather than
technical details. On any particular attempt, network traffic, server
traffic, or server outages may prevent access to the information. All
servers may not be accessible from all sites. The CM related WWW
servers which have been reported to this FAQ editor are:
* Vendor/Supplier WWW Servers
+ +1CM information from +1 Software Engineering at
http://www.plus-one.com/
+ AccuRev information from AccuRev Inc. at
http://www.accurev.com
+ Aldon/CMS info from Aldon Computer Group at
http://www.aldon.com/wb_cms.htm
+ AllChange information from Intasoft at
http://www.intasoft.net
+ Andromede information at http://www.eslog.com
+ /BriefCase Toolkit from Applied Computer Sciences, inc. at
http://www.applied-cs-inc.com/bcintro.html
+ CCC/Harvest information from Computer Associates at
http://www.cai.com/products/ccm/
+ ClearCase information from Rational at
http://www.rational.com/
+ CMVC information from IBM at
http://fnctsrv0.chips.ibm.com/products/ppc/Developers/ppctool
s-62.html
+ CMVision information from Expertware at
http://www.cmvision.com/
+ CMZ information from CERN at http://wwwinfo.cern.ch/cmz/
+ CM Synergy information from Telelogic at
http://www.telelogic.com/
+ Control-CS information from Network Concepts at
http://www.nci-sw.com/
+ Corporate RCS information from Thompson Automation Software
at http://www.tasoft.com/
+ Code Co-op information at http://www.relisoft.com/co_op/
+ DECset information from DEC at
http://www.openvms.compaq.com/commercial/decset/decset_index.
html
+ Disciplined Software Management info from Saint Mavris
Technology at http://www.mavris.com/
+ Endevor Workstation products by Computer Associates Intnl. at
http://www.cai.com/products/endevor_ws.htm
+ FtpVC (FTP Version Control) from Gregory Nisnevich at
http://www.nisnevich.com/ftpvc/ftpvc.htm
+ Incremental Configuration Engine (ICE) developed by The
Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, which solicits
user's comments; see http://www.cs.tu-bs.de/softech/ice/ for
details.
+ MK, a configuration management and version control package at
http://www.pzi.net/software.html
+ Software Manager information from Vertical Sky at
http://www.verticalsky.com/solutions/
+ Neuma Technology Corporation information at
http://www.neuma.com/
+ PERFORCE information from Perforce Software at
http://www.perforce.com
+ QEF from Advanced Software Inc. at http://www.qef.com/
+ Quma Version Control System (QVCS) information from Jim Voris
at http://www.qumasoft.com/
+ Razor - Version Control and Problem Tracking by Tower
Concepts at http://www.razor.visible.com
+ Revision Controle Engine (RCE) by DuraSoft at
http://wwwipd.ira.uka.de/~RCE/
+ Product Configuration Management (PCM) by Tesseract
Technologies at ftp://lia.co.za/pub/tesseract/tsrhome.htm
+ PVCS by MERANT at http://www.merant.com
+ SABLIME by Lucent Technologies at
http://www.bell-labs.com/project/sablime
+ Serena ChangeMan DS information from Serena Software Inc. at
http://www.serena.com/product/cm_prod.html
+ Serena Change Man ZMF information from Serena Software, Inc.
at http://www.serena.com/
+ Software Configuration Library Manager (SCLM) by IBM Corp. at
http://www.ibm.com/software/ad/ispf/
+ SoftBench CM by Hewlett-Packard at
http://hpcc998.external.hp.com:80/sesd/products/softcm/main.h
tml
+ Source Code Manager information from UniPress Software Inc at
http://www.unipress.com/cat/scm.html
+ StarTeam informatin from StarBase Corporation at
http://www.starbase.com
+ TeamConnection information from IBM at
http://www.software.ibm.com/ad/teamcon/
+ TeamSite information from Interwoven, Inc. at
http://www.interwoven.com
+ TLIB information from Burton System Software at
http://www.burtonsys.com
+ TRUEchange information from True Software at
http://www.truesoft.com
+ Turnover info by SoftLanding Systems at
http://www.softlanding.com/turnover.html
+ Visual Enabler information from Softlab at
http://www.softlabna.com
+ Visual SourceSafe information from Microsoft at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/ssafe/
+ VOODOO information from UNI Soft at
http://www.unisoft.co.at/products/voodooserver.html
* User Information WWW Servers
+ AllChange information at
http://gille.loria.fr:7000/cgi-bin/cm/wilma/ccmt.817848747.ht
ml
+ Concurrent Version System (CVS) - France at
http://www.loria.fr/~molli/cvs-index.html
+ ShapeTools information at
http://www.cs.tu-berlin.de/~shape/index.html
* Consultant Information WWW Servers
(Note: a listing here does not represent endorsement of one of
these consultants.)
+ Configuration Management, Inc (CMI) at
http://www.cmi-jobs.com/
+ Timefold(tm) at http://www.timefold.com/ and its page of
ClearCase Service Providers at
http://www.timefold.com/ccspin.html
Additional CM related information available on the WWW is listed in
section 1.7, Where else can I look for configuration management
information?, in the "General Questions" portion (a separate posting)
of this FAQ.
If you are aware of other WWW Servers which should be added to this
list (or any which should be retired), please notify the FAQ editor.
_________________________________________________________________
--------------- End Of comp.software.config-mgmt FAQ Part
2-------------
(This message does not represent an official position of any company.)
--
Dave Eaton
FAQ editor
email:d...@arde.com