ClearCase(TM) Advanced
Configuration Management


What is ClearCase?

ClearCase is the premier software configuration management (SCM) product for software teams with Unix development environments, providing comprehensive tools with a transparent, non-intrusive approach. ClearCase provides version control, workspace management, build management, and process control without limiting the developer's flexibility and workspace environment.

Who Uses ClearCase?

ClearCase is designed for software development teams facing problems such as the following:

These developers need a scaleable SCM such as ClearCase that enables them to work on multiple versions of software for multiple platforms across client/server networks.

Key ClearCase Features

Principal Features

ClearCase provides software development project teams with effective control of four aspects of a development process: version control; workspace management; build management; and process control.

Version Control

Based on a checkin/checkout development model, ClearCase tracks changes to every file and directory, and supports parallel development by enabling additive and subtractive merging of up to 32 contributors and unlimited branching. ClearCase provides reliable version-control of every type of object that evolves in the software development environment, including source code, binaries, executables, documentation, test suites, and libraries. The product also versions all file system objects, directories, sub-directories, and file-system links.

ClearCase provides capabilities far beyond source control, and maintains a complete annotated history of source changes in your software in secure, distributed repositories. ClearCase also graphically displays versions evolution and comparisons of text files and directories in editable, synchronized windows.

Additional ClearCase version control features include interleaved delta compression for ASCII text files, user-definable object types, automatic caching for recent deltas, and RCS, SCCS, DSEE, PVCS, and Unix file conversion

Workspace Management

ClearCase provides each developer with multiple consistent, flexible, and reproducible workspaces. ClearCase uses an innovative technique called Views to select and present the appropriate versions of each file and directory for the specific task at hand, providing transparent access to all versioned objects. Views helps your team work efficiently, allowing each member to strike a balance between shared work and isolation from destabilizing changes. ClearCase can also dynamically update configurations with multiple active views, while providing instant reconstitution of past configurations.

Build Management

ClearCase automatically produces configuration records (bill of materials) that document software system builds. These configuration records completely and reliably recreate the source structure of any build, automatically detecting makefile dependencies. ClearCase also supports efficient building of large software systems through binary sharing and parallel execution of multiple build scripts . In addition, ClearCase provides network and compute-resource load balancing.

Process Control

ClearCase organizes and controls the development process without dictating particular methodologies, policies, and procedures. Its flexible, powerful tools can implement project- and site-specific policies. For example, users can attach user-defined attributes to any version or object. ClearCase routines can implement process mechanisms including development roles, promotion models, and process states. ClearCase also prevents changes by unauthorized personnel and creates permanent records of development procedures. The Hyperlink browser enables the user to view the hyperlinks which connect diverse objects to maintain logical relationships for requirements tracking

General Features

ClearCase offers users a choice between a user-customizable graphical user interface (Motif- and Windows-compliant) and a command-line interface. ClearCase is programmable since its API enables users to customize and modify as necessary to meet their requirements. Customers can also access both on-line documentation and help systems. The product also includes the following:

Minimum Team Configuration

Product Support

ClearCase comes with a comprehensive set of user documentation that describes the operation of the system. Additionally, a full program of customer support is available including software updates, education, training, and hotline product help service.

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