Source Code Mgmt for Cloverleaf Config Files

Steve,

I do not believe the Version Control in Cloverleaf(R) functions.

We played with it a little bit then heard it was not fully functional and would not be – the recommendation was to use a third party product if I recall correctly.

It sounds like you are already there.

I will give you some insight based on past life experience – code management is a complex, convoluted process and in my experience seems like more trouble than it is worth (that doesn’t mean I don’t think it is valuable just sometimes under certain circumstances it does not seem to provide much benefit).

I assume you are aware there is a revisions directory  for each site which contains copies of Cloverleaf(R) object files from each time they have been modified via the IDE.

Steve,

If all you want to do is know who has changed what when for the IDE objects (NetConfig, Tables, formats (but I think only for fixed, variable, and hierarchical) then you might be able to write some code yourself to interrogate the revisions directories and the objects contained therein.

Doesn’t most version control software interact with an editor? Most of the opensource, freeware version control editors I see do seem to attach themselves to a reference program (like an editor).

It seems that might be a challenge with the IDE – unless you use an editor to make changes to your Cloverleaf(R) objects.

I am interested as well to see if anyone out there has had any success making this work effectively.

Folks,

Just a caveat about the Version Manager tool in the IDE for Cloverleaf versions 5.6 and up:  it has been dropped and would not be available once you upgrade to 5.6.

So.. my recommendation is not to go down that path.

I will be monitoring the responses to this question of version management as we too are looking at options to track modifications to Cloverleaf objects.

Good luck, good hunting!

Bob,

I would agree regarding using the Version Control that was in the IDE.

However, the revisions directories are still there and I guess someone could use that for auditing. Probably not for control however.

Since we write very few Tcl procs, we have not been pressed to do Version Control.

For the IDE Objects, we have some control over that with our site architecture and communication (that is assuring only one person is working on a set of objects at a time).

Given the fact we have way more work than we can accomplish with the size staff we have, I am not sure we have the resources to administer a Version Control system (no matter how simple, it does need attention) or add another layer to the process in developing and maintaining integrations.

Jim,

We have the same problem:  plenty to do with thin troops.

I did experience in a previous life before working at Allina Hospitals how version control software can add complexity to a Cloverleaf developer’s life:  SCCS under AIX4.N (don’t remember the exact platform).   It works well as long as everyone plays by the rules. We had a smart guy who defeated the “manager” by deleting the control files to circumvent the procedure and avoid asking folks to “uncheck” any Cloverleaf objects so he could work on them.  And then when people were gone but still registered with the objects, we had to whack the control files anyway to get access back on those objects.

For us we get pressure from our auditors to implement some sort of version control.  However, we have successfully implemented a home grown Access database to track all of our changes on Cloverleaf that includes who changed what Cloverleaf object; how to implement; how to back out the changes; and so on.  It helps keep us organized and somewhat discplined in our group.   And so far the auditors haven’t complained.  Also: we strive to maintain good communications among ourselves and coordinate our changes.

Maybe a good topic for discussion at the next Annual Users Group for 2009?

Have a good day!

Bob,

It absolutely sounds like a good topic for a forum type presentation where maybe multiple folks who are doing some sort of auditing can describe what they are doing and there can be an open discussion!!

Anyone interested in participating?

Anyone interested in organizing?

Anyone interested in attending a forum type User presentation wherein a discussion of various mechanisms currently deployed for code management/auditing can be discussed?

These things only happen if some of us – the users – get involved and also express our interest.

I for one would be interested.

We do some auditing activity that seems to satisfy our auditors and I will see if we can get a presenter.

Jim,

Definitely interested.  Our supervisor is working on sending two of us to the annual users conference for 2009 despite the fact that the economy is in the pits right now.

BobR

Hello, Robert, Would you mind sharing “the home grown Access database “.

Send me a copy to hosun@tegh.on.ca if you could..Thanks

Thanks for your interest!

I have asked our resident Windows guru about the feasibility of packing up our Access application that we use for tracking our Cloverleaf changes.

Once I get a response, I will let you know.

BobR

What I have done is to put the entire hci site in an svn repository.  This has worked very well.  The only issue that I had to address was that NetConfig will get rewritten significantly out of order from before.  A perl script that consistently sorts the output sections addressed this issue.

What I have done is to put the entire hci site in an svn repository.