®

IBM Software Group

Essentials of Rational ClearCase

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Objectives
Upon completing this module, you should be able to:
 Define metadata and explain its purpose
 List the kinds of ClearCase metadata and explain
the main uses of each
 Use labels, attributes, and hyperlinks

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Topics
 What is metadata?
 Metadata uses
 Applying metadata

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What Is Metadata?
 A set of constructs and annotations that attach to
ClearCase objects
 Allows you to organize, manipulate, and manage those
objects
 Enables you to:
 Find, list, sort, and retrieve information
 Access work faster and more directly
 Organize tasks
 Manage how development tasks are performed
 Capture information beyond what ClearCase captures by
default
 Enforce policies
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Kinds of Metadata
 Kinds
hello.c
 Elements  Attributes /bugfix /main
 Branches  Triggers
 Labels  Hyperlinks
 Types
 Specific definitions of the kind Kind: branch
dedicated to particular uses
Type: bugfix
 Instances Instance :
 One example of a given type hello.c@@/main/bugfix
applied to one or more
ClearCase objects
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Topics
 What is metadata?

 Metadata uses
 Applying metadata

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Structuring the Project: Elements and Branches
 Elements
 Define element storage
and retrieval
characteristics
 May be used to group
elements for special
handling
 Branches
 Provide areas for task
isolation and integration

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Annotating the Project: Labels and Attributes
Labels and attributes enable project annotation
 Describe significant milestones, status flags, and
tasks:
• Branch points
• Build configurations
• Baselines
• Status messages
 Identify starting points for future projects
 Identify release configurations

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Using Labels
 User-defined names that
can be attached to
versions
 Uniquely identify a version
 Identify a significant task or
project milestone
 Typically static

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Using Attributes
 Name and value pair
 Can annotate any ClearCase
object
 Use to represent properties
that can have many possible
values
Example: BugNum=22, 43, 54
 Use to represent properties
that change over time
Example: tested=“no”, “ready”,
“yes”, “passed”, “failed”

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Managing Project Policies: Triggers
 Triggers define actions to be performed in
response to a ClearCase event
 Events are ClearCase operations that modify a VOB
element including check out and check in
 Actions include launching batch files, executables, or
another ClearCase operation
 Are local to a single VOB

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Managing Project Policies: Triggers (cont.)
 Triggers support project policy implementation
 Project policies are rules that:
 Enforce project methodology
 Automate routine operations
 Enforce site development policies
 Defined by project leads, configuration managers,
or ClearCase administrators — developers
typically see only the results
 Project policies vary from site to site

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Managing Project Policies: Triggers (cont.)
 Pre-event triggers
 Performed before the event
 Used to enforce policies
 Example: A trigger that
prevents anyone but project
leads from declaring branch types
 Post-event triggers
 Performed after a successful event
 Used to provide information or initiate further actions
 Example: A trigger that attaches an attribute with a
particular bug fix number to a version upon check in

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Showing Project Relationships: Hyperlinks
 A logical connection between any two VOB objects
 Allow you to identify
and preserve
relationships between
VOB objects
 Can show a relationship
between objects in
different VOBs
 Automatically created by
merge operation

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Topics
 What is metadata?
 Metadata uses

 Applying metadata

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Viewing Metadata Types: Type Explorer
Start > Programs > Rational > ClearCase > Type Explorer

Metadata kinds

Metadata types

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Creating a Label Instance: Applying a Label
1
In the Version Tree Browser, select the version you
want to label, and then click Tools > Apply Label.

2
Select the desired label,
and then click Apply.

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Viewing a Label
You can view labeled versions in the
Version Tree Browser or on the Labels
tab of Version Properties.

Labels often specify a

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Using the Apply Label Wizard
The Apply Label Wizard applies a label to versions
selected by a specified view.
Start > Programs > Rational > ClearCase > Apply Label

1
Enter the view
that selects the
versions you
want to label,
and then click
Next.
2
Select the elements to label,
and then click Next.

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Using the Apply Label Wizard (cont.)

3
Select the label to apply, choose
options, and then click Finish.

4
Confirm the application, and
then click OK.

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Adding Attributes
1
Click the Custom tab on the Properties sheet of the object to be annotated.

2
Click Add
Attribute on the
shortcut menu.

3
Enter the Attribute
type and Value,
and then click OK.
4
Click OK.

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Attaching a Hyperlink
Use cleartool mkhlink to attach hyperlinks to VOB
objects.
Example:

I:\project_hw>cleartool mkhlink Implements

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Module Review
 What is metadata?
 How is metadata implemented?
 When might you use a label?
 When might you use an attribute?
 What is a trigger? When might you use one?
 When might you use a hyperlink?
 How do you attach a label?
 How do you attach an attribute?
 How do you attach a hyperlink?
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Module Lab
 In this lab, you will perform the following tasks:
 Apply a label to multiple files at once
 Apply an attribute
 Apply a hyperlink

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