Clearcase Client Commands:

This tutorial covers the IBM/Rational Clearcase commands used for the Clearcase change management system

 

Clearcase User Commands:

• Configure user aliases:

  File: $HOME/.bashrc alias ct=/usr/atria/bin/cleartool alias sv='/usr/atria/bin/cleartool setview' umask 022

  File: $HOME/.cshrc alias ct /usr/atria/bin/cleartool alias sv '/usr/atria/bin/cleartool setview' umask 022

  This umask will set the default privileges on new files and direcotries. Default protection will be set so that the user may write data but others can read.

• Commands:

  ClearCase Command	Description
  ct -ver	Display Clearcase, cleartool, db_server and VOB database schema version.
  ct lsvob	List vob mount table: * /vob/VOB-NAME.vbt /hosts/host-name/r1vob/vobs/vobstore/VOB-NAME.vbs public * /vob/practice_vob.vbt /hosts/host-name/view-name/Vobs/vobstore/practice_vob.vbs public
  ct dump element-or-DO	Print internal Clearcase info.
  ct lsview	List all views: millesc_view /hosts/host-name/view-name/Views/millesc_view.vws * user-name /hosts/host-name/view-name/Views/reg_view.vws
  ct lsview view-tag	List view path.
  ct mktag -view -tag dynamic-view-name -nstart /hosts/node-name/home/cleardata/views/dynamic-view-name or ct mktag -vob vob-tag ...	Create a view-tag or VOB-tag.
  ct mkview -tag user1_view -stgloc viewstore	Create a new view in "viewstore" Clearcase server view mount point (see YoLinux or installation tutorial). List view storage locations: ct lsstgloc
  ct mkview -tag tmpA_view /hosts/node-name/home/cleardata/views/tmpA_view	Create a new view.
  ct setview user-name_view	Set current view to user-name_view.
  ct startview common_view	Set current view to common_view without starting a Clearcase shell environent. It allows one to view (only) the files. Path: /view/common_view/vob/vob-name/...
  ct endview common_view ct endview -server user-name_view	Deactivate a Clearcase view. (First exit view) Useful if you get stale NFS handles.
  ct rmview -tag temp_view or ct rmview temp_view	Remove view temp_view.
  cleartool setview username_view sv user-name_view	Set Clearcase view. See alias defined above.
  ct pwv	Print working view/current view: Working directory view: username_view Set view: username_view
  echo $CLEARCASE_ROOT	Print current view path.
  ct ls -l ct ls -vob_only	Using current view, show files, private files, file version and rule. -vob_only: List elements and not derived objects Format: ... version file.ext@@/main/2 Rule: element */main/LATEST directory version Directoy-name@@/main/2 Rule: element * /main/LATEST view private object file2.c ...
  ct lstype -kind lbtype -list labels	List labels
  ct lsvtree -all file-name.ext	List file version label and build label: (version tree) file-name.ext@@/main file-name.ext@@/main/0 file-name.ext@@/main/1 (BUILD_1_0) file-name.ext@@/main/2 (BUILD_1_1)
  ct lsvtree -all pref*	List file version label and build label for files beginning with "pref"
  ct lshistory [all] file-or-directory ct lshistory file-name	List file or directory version history. List event rocords for a given file.
  ct chevent -c 'new-comment-goes-here' -replace -event event-id ct chevent -c 'new-comment-goes-here' -replace -lbtype label	Change the comment on a version of an element. Lookup event id: ct lsh -event file-or-element Change the comment on a label.
  ct lsco ct lsco -r ct lsco -avobs -me ct lsco -avobs -cview	List all checked out files in current directory. Flag "-r" recusivly looks in sub directories. List all files checked out to all views. List checkouts in view.
  ct lscheckout -l ct lsco -l ct lsco -recursive -me -cview	List checked out files. (same) List files in current directory and subdirectories checked out to you in current view. Omit -cview tag to get all.
  ct catcr file-name	List configuration record for a file.
  ct find ./ -branch 'brtype(branch-name)' -print ct find ./ -version(main/LATEST) && \! version(LABEL_X)' -print ct find -avobs -nxname -element 'brtype(view_name)' -print	List files in branch with search name or attribute. List files with label "LATEST" but not LABEL_X.
  ct lsprivate ct lsp -co	List all private files in current view. View private files are files residing in the Clearcase filesystem but not under the control of Clearcase. i.e. object files as a result of a compile. May not be viewable by others. List files checked out to current view.
  ct mklbtype -nc LABEL_NAME ct mklbtype -c "comment" LABEL_NAME	Create a label to be used later.
  ct lstype -kind lbtype -short | sort	List labels.
  ct describe -l file.ext	Describe object in VOB. Lists branch and version of file and configspec used in view.
  ct describe file-or-directory	List file or directory information.
  ct describe -long element:file-or-directory	List file or directory information.
  ct describe -long vob:/vob	List vob information.
  ct mklabel LABEL_NAME file-name.ext ct mklabel -r LABEL_NAME	Apply label to a file. Label elements in directory tree.
  ct mklabel -replace NEW_LABEL_NAME file-name.ext@@/main/4	Apply label to a newer version of the file.
  ct rmtype -rmall -force lbtype:LABEL_NAME ct rmtype -lbtype -rmall LABEL_NAME	Remove a label of the name given. The option "-rmall" causes the removal of all instances of the label on all files / directories.Remove label type and all occurrences of the label.
  ct rmtype lbtype:LABEL_NAME	Remove label from Clearcase. It will not be removed if label has been applied. Use option "-rmall" to remove label and all instances of its application.
  ct rmtype -rmall -brtype branch-type	Remove branch and all files / directories in branch from Clearcase. Data disposed in "lost-found".
  ct find -avobs -version "lbtype (Build-Label)" -print ct find . -name '*.[hc]' -element 'lbtype_sub(LABEL_NAME)' -print	Print all files and file versions going into build specified. list all .h and .c files whith the given label.
  ct co -nc file-name	Check-Out file (RCS command) -No Comment
  ct mkdir directory-name	Create a directory. Checkout parent directory first.
  ct ln -s source-directory-name local-directory-name	Create a symbolic link to a directory. Checkout parent directory first.
  ct mkelem -ci -nc filename	Add file to Clearcase control.
  ct rmelem filename	Remove file from Clearcase control. All history and knowledge of the element is completely removed. By contrast, the "ct rm" command will remove the file and not the history and the directory must be checked out in order to make this change.
  ct rmelem -rm filename	Remove file from Clearcase control and remove private view file.
  ct rmelem directory-name/*	Remove directory, revision history and its contents from Clearcase control.
  ct rmver filename@@/main/LATEST or ct rmver filename or ct rmver filename@@/main/22 or remove specifed version on main branch: ct rmver -force -xlabel -ver /main/22 file-or-element-name	Remove latest version checked in of the file from Clearcase. Second example removes version 22 from the Clearcase change management system. Previous versions will be available from the archive.
  ct rm filename	Remove file from Clearcase view. First perform a checkout ("ct co") of the file and directory. Past versions will be available from the archive although not visible in current view. Safer than "ct rmelem" which removes all knowledge of the file old and new.
  ct reserve file-name	Lock file. Convert unreserved checkout to reserved.
  ct unco file-name ct unco -rm file-name ct uncheckout file-name	UN-Check-Out file. Cancel a checkout of a file. Cancel a checkout of a file and remove file which was checked out. Not removed from Clearcase, just view private the checked out file is deleted/cleaned up.
  ct co -unr -nc file-name	Checkout file even though file is checked out by another. Checkout "unreserved", must be merged at a later time.
  ct checkout -unreserved file-name	Not locked. Checkout to read, print, etc. Same as above command.
  ct ci file-name	Check-In file. (also ct checkin file-name) Enter comment,enter "." as sole character on line and enter.
  ct diff -gra -pre file-name & ct diff -pred file-name ct xdiff -pred file-name	Graphical Diff/Merge tool. Clearcase diff between current file and predecessor. X-windows diff with predecessor.
  ct mv file-name_A file-name_B	Rename a file. Be sure to checkout the parent directory first. If moving file to a new directory, check out the target directory as well.
  ct protect -r -chmod 775 directory-or-file-name	Set directory/file/element protection.
  Configspec commands
  ct catcs ct catcs -tag view_tag	Print rules of current view (configspec): element * CHECKEDOUT element * /main/LATEST Look at the configspec associated with another view.
  ct edcs	Edit current rules of view (config spec): Change from: element * CHECKEDOUT element * /main/LATEST To: element * Build-Label element -directory * /main/Latest Close vi: wq Set config spec for view "username_view"? [yes]
  ct setcs -default ct setcs -cur	Reset to default view rules. Re-evaluate current configspec.
  ct update -add_loadrules	Updates elemets in snapshot view. GUI tool. Reevaluates config spec and reselects VOB elements to show. The option "-add_loadrules" allows you to load rules to your config spec and load elements which satisfy the rules.
  Help and Information commands
  ct man clearcase-command ct man env_ccase	Man page for Clearcase command. List Clearcase environment variables.
  ct apropos search-word	List commands and man page summaries for related Clearcase command.
  ct help ct help clearcase-command	Help facility (simple). Lists possible command arguments.
  Tree/Branch commands
  ct lstype -kind brtype ct lstype -kind brtype -invob /vob/vob-name	List all branches. List all branches in the vob specified.
  ct find -avobs -version 'brtype(branch-type)' -print	Find all files of the specified branch name in all mounted VOB's. Find branch name with the ct lstype command..
  ct lsvtree -all * ct lsvtree file-name ct lsvtree -g file-name	List version trees (labels and branches) of files (even those without labels or branches). List all branches of specified file. Launch GUI display and show version tree (labels and branches) for a given file. ([Potential Pitfall]: You may have to issue the command export LANG=C prior to launching GUI.)
  ct chtype	Change element type or rename branch.
  ct mkbranch ct mkbranch -nc branch-name file-to-branch.cpp	Create a new branch in version tree. Use the command mkbrtype to create the branch type (name) first. This command also checks out the file. The config spec needs to include this branch so file can be viewed.
  ct rmbranch	Remove a branch in version tree.
  ct mkbrtype mkbrtype -c "Comment goes here" branch_name	Create a new branch type object.
  ct merge	Merge changes/differences of a file from another branch.
  ct findmerge ct findmerge ./ -flag VIEW-TAG -print	Determines whether a merge is required for a file in your view. Find files in current directory tree which need to be merged. Use the describe command to see if branch has been merged. If so it wil be stated as such.
  Derived Objects commands
  ct lsdo -l	List derived objects.
  ct rmdo	Remove a derived object.
  ct winkin *.o *.a executables	Wink-in a derived object.
  Admin commands
  clearexport_ffile -r directory-name	Create file cvt_data which is the result of a recursive export of files from given directory name..
  clearlicense	List number of allowable client connections and list who is holding a license.
  clearlicense -rel user	Release license from user who is holding a license.
  getcache ct getcache -mvfs	Display Clearcase view or MVFS cache parameters. Troubleshoot by listing cache misses (Cache misses are bad). Perform this command on the server itself.
  getlog	Examine Clearcase log files.
  hostinfo	Display configuration data for a Clearcase host.
  lock ct lock vob:/vob/project ct lock -brtype -obsolete branch-type ct lock lbtype:LABEL_NAME ct lock file-name.cpp ct lock -nusers user1, user2 brtype:branchX	Command to lock a VOB, element, branch, type object or storage pool. Lock vob for read-only access.Disable write, create, delete, modify Hide branch permanently. Lock code with given label. Lock a file from use. Lock all users except user1 and user2 on branchX
  unlock ct unlock -brtype branch-type	Unlock a VOB object.
  lslock	List locks.
  lsclients	List client list for lisence or registry host server.
  lsreplica	List replicas of a VOB.
  mkpool	Create or modify VOB storage pool.
  rmpool	Remove a storage pool from a VOB.
  lspool	List storage pools.
  chpool	Change the storage pool to which an element is assigned.
  mkregion	Register a new Clearcase network region.
  rmregion	Unregister a Clearcase network region.
  lsregion	List Clearcase network region.
  mktrigger	Attach a trigger to an element.
  rmtrigger	Remove trigger from an element.
  mktrtype	Create a trigger object.
  mkvob ct mkvob -tag VOB-tag -c "comment" /vobpath	Create and register a versioned object base.
  rmvob ct rmvob /vobpath	Remove a VOB.
  lsvob	List of mounted VOBs.
  checkvob	Fix inconsistancies between VOB database and storage pools.
  protectvob	Change owner or group of a VOB.
  reformatvob	Update the format of a VOB. Use command "ct -ver" to find the current VOB database schema version.
  rmtag	Remove a VOB tag from a storage registry.
  complete_migration	Take VOB out of migration mode.
  mount ct mount VOB-tag	Activate a VOB.
  unmount ct umount VOB-tag	Deactivate a VOB. ("ct describe -vob" to show VOB info/owner)
  register	Create an entry in the VOB/view storage registry.
  unregister	Remove a VOB/view from storage registry.
  relocate	Move elements and directory trees from one VOB to another.
  rename	Asign a new name to a Clearcase object (i.e. pool, replica, label). Use mv to change the name of a file or directory.
  setcache ct setcache -view -host -cachesize 1024k ct setcache -view -site -cachesize 2m ct setcache -view -cachesize 5m view_tag	Set Clearcase view or MVFS cache parameters. Set cache size for all views on server to 1024 Kb. Set cache size for all views site-wide to 2 Mb. set cache size for a single specified view. View with ct lssite -inquire
  mvfscache	Controls and monitors MVFS caches (dynamic views only).
  ct lssite -inquire	List site-wide properties in the site config registry.
  setsite	Sets or unsets site-wide properties in the site config registry. View cache size defaults for Windows clients defaults for chechin and checkout preserve
  space	Report VOB disk space usage.

• GUI tools:

  /usr/atria/bin/xclearcase &
  /usr/atria/bin/xcleardiff &
  /usr/atria/bin/xlsvtree & (Same as xclearcase -vtree)

  [Potential Pitfall]: You may have to issue the command export LANG=C prior to launching GUI.

 

Environment Configuration:

Get shell config file sample from node-name:/home/vobadm/config/.bashrc, .cshrc, .kshrc.

Sample $HOME/.bashrc

export CLEARCASE=/usr/atria
...
export PATH=$CLEARCASE/bin:$PATH
...
alias ct='cleartool'
alias sv='cleartool setview'
alias svg='cleartool setview username_view'
...
MACH=`uname -n`
ID=`/usr/bin/id | /usr/bin/sed -e 's/^uid=[0-9]*(//' -e 's/).*$//'`
PS1='$MACH:($ID)$PWD> '
if [ $PS1 ]
then
  if [ $CLEARCASE_ROOT ]
  then
    export PS1='[`basename $CLEARCASE_ROOT`]\h:(\u)\W> '
  fi
fi

---

Sample Unix Clearcase sessions:

• Make changes to a file:

     node-name:(username)/home/username> cleartool setview username_view
     node-name:(username)/home/username> cd /vob/vob-name/src/sub-directory
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct co -nc filename.cpp
       --- edit file ---
     [username_view]node-name:(username)Directory-name ct ci filename.cpp
     Add comments here.
     .
     exit
                  

  Comments terminated with a dot (.). Use exit to get out of Clearcase view and return to Unix shell.

• Add new file to Clearcase control:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct co -nc .
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> cp /..../new-file ./
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct mkelem -ci -nc new-file
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct ci -nc .
  

  Checkout directory (.), copy file and add it to clearcase control. Then check-in directory. Directory needed updating to reflect change to its contents. Note that new files added to the directory can not be viewed by others until the directory is checked in. Example of adding all files to Clearcase control: ct mkelem -ci -nc *

• Add new Directory to Clearcase control:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct co -nc .
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct mkdir DIRECTORY-NAME
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct ci -nc .
     ...
     Add files to directory.
     ...
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct ci -nc DIRECTORY-NAME
                  

• Clearcase Labels:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct mklbtype -nc RELEASE_NAME_#.#.#
        (or: ct mklbtype -ordinary RELEASE_NAME_#.#.#)
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct mklabel -recurse RELEASE_NAME_#.#.# . 
  

  First command creates the label. The second applies the label to the current directory "." recursively on down the directory structure. Another example: ct mklabel -recurse -follow -nc RELEASE_NAME_#.#.# directory-name
  Where the option "-follow" allows mklabel to follow symbolic links.
  Note: Must perform the command from a directory within the VOB.

  Update a file and apply the existing label to the new file:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct mklabel -replace -nc RELEASE_NAME_#.#.# file-name@@/main/4
  

  Move label from version 3 and now apply it to version 4.

  Remove old label:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct rmtype -rmall lbtype:OLD_RELEASE_NAME_#.#.#
  

  List all labels:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct lstype -kind lbtype
     OR
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct lstype -kind lbtype -short | sort
     OR
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct lstype -kind lbtype -short | grep -i api | sort
  

  Second version lists all "API" labels.

  List all labels on a file:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct lsvtree -all file-name
                  

  Second command does not quite work (??)

  Label formats: RELEASE_NAME_#.#.#

  Default labels created by Clearcase:

  • BACKSTOP: No changes allowed. No new versions allowed when label applied. Also see "lock" command.
  • CHECKEDOUT: Currently checked out versions.
  • LATEST: Latest version of a branch.

• Create a view:
  
  To find the directory used for storing views issue the following command:

     [prompt]> ct lsview
       greg_view            /net/hostname/views/viewstore/greg_view.vws
       steve_view           /net/hostname/views/viewstore/steve_view.vws
     ...
  

  Create view from views directory. Files there are viewname.vws

     [prompt]> cd /net/hostname/views/viewstore/
     [prompt]> ct mkview -tag dave_view  ./dave_view.vws
     [prompt]> ct lsview | grep dave_view
       dave_view            /net/hostname/views/viewstore/dave_view.vws
     [prompt]> ct describe -l /net/hostname/views/viewstore/dave_view.vws
     ...
  

• Move a view:
  Assuming the move is on a single server and there are no checked out files. Stop viewserver.

  cd /net/hostname/views/viewstore/
  find view-tag.vws | cpio -pmd /destination viewstore
  ct rmtag -view -all view-tag
  ct unregister -view /net/hostname/views/viewstore/view-tag.vws
  mv view-tag.vws view-tag.vws-backup
  ct register -view /destination viewstore/view-tag.vws
  ct mktag -view -tag view-tag /destination viewstore/view-tag.vws
  ct startview view-tag
  rm view-tag.vws-backup
  

• Clearcase Clearmake:

     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct lsco
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> clearmake -C gnu -f Makefile
     [username_view]node-name:(username)sub-directory> ct catcr file.o
  

  One may also set the environment variable: export CCASE_MAKE_COMPAT=gnu
  Check first if there are any files checked out. Run makefile. List configuration record. The advantage of clearmake is that derived objects (object files generated by compiling source, hence derived from the source) are stored with extended names. i.e. file-name.o@@26Feb.14:28:9621

---

View default group on Windows PC:

• Open a DOS command prompt window.
• cd Program Files\Rational\Clearcase\etc\utils
• Execute the "creds" command
• Read the "Primary Group" domain.

PC Configspec: right click on XX: drive + clearcase + properties.

Clearcase explorer: C:\Program Files\Rational\ClearCase\bin\clearexplorer.exe

---

Clearcase find command:

Tag "-all" refers to all files in VOB.

• Find all files with given label in the VOB:
  ct find -all -type file -version 'lbtype(LABEL-NAME)' -print

• Find all new or changed files since that with a specified label:
  ct find -all version '\!lbtype(LABEL-NAME) && version(/main/LATEST)' -print

• Find all files at the end of a branch in current directory:
  ct find ./ -version 'version(.../branch-name/LATEST)' -print

---

Explanation of Clearcase views and file structure within a view:

Views are required in order to use Clearcase. A unique view assigned to a user will:

• allow a developer access to the VOB data (source code storage)
• provide a workspace are where users can privately modify VOB data without disturbing the view of the VOB data held by other developers. Changes are only accessible by others when a file is checked into the VOB from the users private space.

There are three types of views:

• Snapshot view: Changes and updates by others are not available to a snapshot view until a new "snapshot" is taken.
• Web view: accessible from Clearcase Web interface. Similar to a snapshot view.
• Dynamic view: access to all versions of VOB elements and view private objects as they are checked into the VOB.

Directory Structure within view:

The Clearcase view and versioning system is based on a directory structure beneath what at first appears to be a standard set of files in a directory structure.

Example: (set view first: ct setview xxxxxx)

Clearcase presentation	Unix presentation
ct ls filename1.ext@@/main/3 Rule: /main/LATEST filename2.ext@@/main/6 Rule: /main/LATEST	ls filename1.ext filename2.ext

Note that there are three versions of the file in the main branch.

Actual Directory path representation:

filename1.ext@@/              - Actually a directory name not a file name
               LABEL-1       - Actualy a file with the full contents.
               LABEL-2
               main/         - Directory of main branch.
                    LABEL-1  - Actual file with full contents of file.
                    LABEL-2  - Actual file with full contents of file.
                    0        - Actual file containing version zero.
                    1        - Actual file containing version 1
                    2        - Actual file containing version 2
                    3        - Actual file containing version 3
                    LATEST   - Actual file with full contents of file.
                

Note:

• Clearcase stores the full contents of the file saved and not a diff between versions like RCS or SCCS which builds versions of the file when neccessary.
• The file "3" and "LATEST" are identical.

      cd filename.ext@@/main
      diff 3 LATEST
      

  This will show no change between the files.
• Search all archived files for a string:
  find filename.ext@@ -print grep 'wordToFind' {} \;

This knowledge can facilitate searches in previous versions of source code.

Relationship between views and directory structure:

Each view will have the directory structure described above within its view.

/view/...                             - View root directory
/view/view-name1/
                bin/...               - Entire OS file system viewed from here for view-name1
                etc/..
                .../...
                vob/vob-name/src/filename1.ext   - Unix presentation or filename1.ext@@ for "ct ls"
                            .../...   - Contents of Clearcase VOB

/view/view-name2/
                bin/...               - Entire OS file system viewed from here for view-name1
                etc/..
                .../...
                vob/vob-name/src/filename1.ext
                            .../...   - Contents of Clearcase VOB
                

• This path /view/... is viewable by the regular UNIX user, with or without setting the view.
• When you set your view ("ct setview view-name1"), it allows one to view the Clearcase archive from /vob/vob-name/....
• The above path is for /view/view-name1/
• The path /view/view-name1@@/ will show all the revision branches. i.e.

  /view/view-name1@@/vob/vob-name/main/LATEST/directory-name/main/LATEST/...
                                     0/...
                                                              0/...
                                                              1/...
                                                              2/...
                                     1/...
      

---

Configspec:

Configspec specifies rules of viewing specified elements which will be shown in a given view. The system default configspec can be found in $ATRIAHOME/default_config_spec (Typically: /usr/atria/default_config_spec)

Basic configspec:
(/destination viewstore/view-tag.vws/config_spec)

element * CHECKEDOUT
element * /main/LATEST
    

Pattern matching:

Pattern	Description
*	Matches all elements in the path but not recursively.
*.h	Matches all elements in the path which match the suffix ".h", but not recursively.
src/Makefile	Matches all elements in the path in a directory named "src" which match this file name.
src/.../Makefile	Matches all elements in the directory/subdirectory tree named "src" which match this file name.
src/.../*.[ch]	Matches all elements with the suffic ".h" and ".c" in the directory/subdirectory tree named "src".
src/...	Matches all elements (files and directories) in the directory/subdirectory tree named "src".

Config Rule	Description
element * CHECKEDOUT	This rule is mandatory. Without this rule, any file that is checked out will not be seen in a view.
element -directory * /main/LATEST	Look at latest version of the directory on the main branch.
element -directory * /branch-name/LATEST	Look at latest version of the directory on the defined branch.
element -file * /main/version-number	Show this particular version number of all fields in view.
element * LABEL	Show elements with this label. (i.e. element * /main/LABEL3)
element * rule-name -time time element * rule-name -time 26-Oct.14:32	Show elements which comply with this rule and last modified prior to time
element * rule-name -time time	Show elements which comply with this rule and last modified prior to time
element * /vob/vob-name/AppName/* LABEL	Show elements in the specified directory with the given label.
element /vob/projectA/... /main/LATEST	Rule applies only to specified directory hierarchy.

---

Branching:

Branching can be performed to:

• Allow parallel development between two developers and later merge the code.
• Create a new version of the software with different features for a specific purpose.
• Add features in a separate branch to be merged in later after it is proven. The benefit is to allow the main branch to continue without being disturbed.

Configspec to view branch:

element * CHECKEDOUT
element * .../branchx/LATEST
element * /main/LATEST -mkbranch branchx
    

This configspec will create a new branch for new files added or for files checked out. If file is checked out from /main/LATEST, then trigger (mkbranch branchx) executes to create a new branch for the file checked out.

The branch type must first be created with the command: mkbrtype -c "Comment goes here" branchx

Create the branch type before creating the actual branch. Only one branch type of a given name will exist. Many files may exist with the branches of the same branch type.

Example of creating a branch:

• ct mkbrtype -c "Comment goes here" BugFix_branch_Y
• ct setview view-name
• ct mkbranch -nc BugFix_branch_Y file-to-branch.cpp

This will create version "0" of file-to-branch.cpp in the branch named BugFix_branch_Y.

Create a branch off of version 5 of file-to-branch.cpp in branch main.
ct mkbranch -nc BugFix_branch_Y file-to-branch.cpp@@/main/5

Create branch using all source: ct mkbranch -nco -c "Bugfix patch B" patch_B *.cpp *.h
GUI: ct lsvtree -g file-name

Merging: If one wishes to include the changes made in a branch into the "latest" version in the "main" branch, one would perform a "merge".

• Merge version 5 on the branch into the "latest" version in the "main" branch:
  ct merge -to file-to-merge.cpp -insert -version /main/BugFix_branch_Y/5

• Specify consecutive versions 2 through 5:
  ct merge -t file-to-merge.cpp -insert -version /main/BugFix_branch_Y/2/main/BugFix_branch_Y/5

• Merge all changes in a branch into the "main" branch:
  ct findmerge file-to-merge.cpp -fversions .../BugFix_branch_Y/LATEST -merge

List all branches: ct lstype -kind brtype

---

GUI Tools:

Tools:

• xclearcase:
  Command: /usr/atria/bin/xclearcase
• xcleardiff:
  Command: /usr/atria/bin/xcleardiff
  Motif resource file: (Add to $HOME/.Xdefaults)

  xcleardiff*promptBrightColor:   yellow
  xcleardiff*changeColor:         blue
  xcleardiff*deleteColor:         red
  xcleardiff*insertColor:         green
      

• xlsvtree:
  Command: /usr/atria/bin/xlsvtree

[Potential Pitfall]: You may have to issue the command export LANG=C prior to launching GUI.

Common resources:
Motif resource file: (Add to $HOME/.Xdefaults)

*scheme:              Monet
*XmText*marginHeight: 4
*foreground:          black           - Text color
*background:          white
    

---

Version String Generation:

• Makefile:

  ...
  target: version.h $(OTHER_OBJS)
       cc -o target -DDATE ="\"@(#)`date`\"" $(OTHER_OBJS)
  ...
      

• Source Code: (.h file)

  ...
  char *version = "@(#)target R3.0";
  char *version_time = DATAE;
  ...
      

This is used in conjunction with the UNIX what command. (Not available on Linux)

---

Notes:

• Users of UNIX sysV systems may find that they can't print using the "lp" command as the spooler can't locate the file if it does not operate with the users view. Use the command "lp -c file-name" which creates a copy which the spooler can read.
• Applications spawned from scripts are not able to process Clearcase controlled files. Raw executables can. When working with HTML files I can use the konqueror browser but I have not had any luck running Mozilla which is spawned from a shell script.

---

Links:

• - Emacs extension and keybindings
• (Java build tool)
• PERL/CPAN:
  • CtCmd:
  • Argv:
  • ClearCase-Argv:
  • ClearCase-ClearPrompt:
  • ClearCase-CRDB:
  • ClearCase-SyncTree:
  • ClearCase-Wrapper:
  • ClearCase-Wrapper-DSB:
  • Env-Path:
  • IPC-ChildSafe:
• IBM Clearcase Manuals
• Getting Started with Rational ClearCase v2002 - IBM Web training
• Getting Started with IBM Rational ClearCase: Concepts and Terminology for WebSphere Studio v5 Users - IBM Web training
• Getting Started with Rational ClearQuest - IBM Web training