Version and Baseline Control

Even the smallest development projects should utilize some sort of version and baseline control tool. Two mainstays of the Unix world are the Source Code Control System (SCCS) and the Revision Control System (RCS). Both tools provide the basic functionality needed to establish a baseline, let multiple developers in a workgroup check in and check out files, and track multiple code trees. Both tools also provide a wide range of advanced capabilities sufficient for almost any sized project. Unfortunately, the standard versions of these tools rely on simple command line interfaces. Many vendors wrap graphical user interfaces around these tools to create their own version control tools.

As with many types of tools, the widespread adoption of the Internet and Java have led to interesting new products with features never imagined several years ago. Sun's JavaSafe product, for instance, is one such tool. It provides all the features of traditional version control tools, but since it is written entirely in Java it runs in any web browser. In effect, it uses a web server/web browser paradigm to check in and check out code. Such a tool can greatly simplify remote workgroups working over an Intranet or even over the Internet.

The ClearCase product family offers software configuration management (SCM) products for software teams in Windows and Unix development environments. ClearCase provides comprehensive configuration management, including version control, workspace management, build management, and process control.