Manual code management practices

Thu, 19 May 2005 09:36:25 +1000

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Hi everyone.

I recently re-joined the PH list due to a larger than expected volume of
work requiring my PH skills.

Just one question, which is baffling a lot of my clients at the moment.

Code management:

*	What practices are being used?
*	What tools are being used?
*	Any DOs and DONTs?

My client is running Powerhouse, in a HP9000 Unix box, and has recently
hired a few contractors and myself to do some work which will require us
to share code, and keep it all seamless without people overwriting other
people's work.

Currently we use a "repository" method which is to keep the code in a
central location and ONLY pull it out of there if the file is not listed
in a "holding location" elsewhere. If the code is in the holding
location then it means someone is using it, and so the developer has to
email/communicate with the team to find out who is using it, why and
discuss how to "share" the program.

Unfortunately with this system, as you all know, it's heavily reliant on
human "good will" and control. If someone forgets to pull out the source
code from the holding area or at least comment it to say this is no
longer required, then other developers will be wasting time chasing
people or making assumptions (because some people just don't like to
talk!) and start using the program anyway.

Is there a manual system that is better than the above? We are trying to
stay away from using specific code management tools like CM or VSS due
to cost and timing spent on installation, training, management, etc.

Thanks guys.

> Fernando J. Olmos
> Melbourne
> +61 3 9629-9444
> Software Consultant (Information Services - Alcoa Australia)
>=20
>=20

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<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Hi everyone.</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I recently re-joined the PH list due to =
a larger than expected volume of work requiring my PH skills.</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Just one question, which is baffling a =
lot of my clients at the moment.</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Code management:</FONT>
</P>

<UL>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What practices are being =
used?</FONT></LI>

<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What tools are being used?</FONT></LI>

<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Any DOs and DONTs?</FONT></LI>
<BR>
</UL>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">My client is running Powerhouse, in a =
HP9000 Unix box, and has recently hired a few contractors and myself to =
do some work which will require us to share code, and keep it all =
seamless without people overwriting other people's work.</FONT></P>

Currently we use a =
&quot;repository&quot; method which is to keep the code in a central =
location and ONLY pull it out of there if the file is not listed in a =
&quot;holding location&quot; elsewhere. If the code is in the holding =
location then it means someone is using it, and so the developer has to =
email/communicate with the team to find out who is using it, why and =
discuss how to &quot;share&quot; the program.

Unfortunately with this system, as you =
all know, it's heavily reliant on human &quot;good will&quot; and =
control. If someone forgets to pull out the source code from the holding =
area or at least comment it to say this is no longer required, then =
other developers will be wasting time chasing people or making =
assumptions (because some people just don't like to talk!) and start =
using the program anyway.

Is there a manual system that is better =
than the above? We are trying to stay away from using specific code =
management tools like CM or VSS due to cost and timing spent on =
installation, training, management, etc.

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Thanks guys.</FONT>
</P>

<P><SPAN LANG=3D"en-us"><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF" SIZE=3D6 =
FACE=3D"Script">Fernando J. Olmos</FONT></SPAN>

<BR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-us"><FONT COLOR=3D"#008080" SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Melbourne</FONT></SPAN>

<BR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-us"><FONT COLOR=3D"#008080" SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial =
Narrow">+61 3 9629-9444</FONT></SPAN>

<BR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-us"><FONT COLOR=3D"#800000" SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Software Consultant (Information Services - Alcoa =
Australia)</FONT></SPAN>
</P>
<BR>

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