Support for Rational ClearCase

Initial Setup

Integration with IBM® Rational ClearCase requires the SCM Adapter plug-in for Eclipse 3.1 be installed and activated in Composer. The SCM Adapter can be downloaded from http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/content/03July/2500/2834/ClearCase/clearcase_plugins.html. Make sure this is downloaded and uncompressed before proceeding.

Upon launch Composer will prompt the user to supply the location of the method library. Since the local copy of the method library under source control hasn't been set up yet the user should simply accept the default choice. This will allow Composer to complete the launch process. Once Composer has launched use the following instructions to set up a source-controlled copy of the method library:

1. Use the Help menu at the top of the Composer window.
2. Select Software Updates > Manage Software Configuration....

   http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/content/03July/2500/2834/ClearCase/clearcase_plugins.html

   The Product Configuration window will appear.
3. In the Product Configuration window, click Add an Extension Location. The extension in this case is the SCM adapter.
4. Use the Browse for Folder dialog box to navigate to the folder with the SCM adapter.
5. Select the Eclipse folder and click OK.
6. The Install/Update dialog prompts the user to restart Composer. Click Yes.
7. When Composer restarts the user will be prompted to supply to location of the method library. Use the default (temporary) selection.
8. In the main toolbar, click Window > Customize Perspective....
9. In the Customize Perspective dialog box, click the Commands tab.
10. In the Available command groups column, check the box for ClearCase and click OK.

The main tool bar will now include a new pull-down menu labeled "ClearCase". At this point users can create their ClearCase snapshot view.

1. Use the ClearCase menu and select Connect to Rational ClearCase. A small check mark will appear next to this selection in the menu when the connection is successful.
2. Use the ClearCase menu and select Create New View.... The standard ClearCase view creation wizard will then guide the user through the rest of the setup.
3. Select the appropriate VOB to load and click OK. VOB elements are loaded.
4. Click OK. A dialog box should appear with the message "View successfully created".
5. At this point a local copy of the method library has been created but the Composer application is still pointed to the temporary library opened earlier. Use the File menu and select Open.
6. Navigate to the location of the snapshot view and open the newly-created copy of the method library.

1. Make sure the Authoring perspective is being used. Method elements can only be edited from within this perspective.
2. When a user tries to edit an existing element a dialog box will appear with a message prompting the user to check-out the appropriate library source file.
3. As edits are made the tab at the top of the editing window will display a "*" next to the element name. This indicate that changes have been made but not saved at this point. When the file is saved through the File - Save command the "*" will disappear.
4. Switch to the Resource perspective.
5. Use the ClearCase menu and select Find checkouts. Check in all changed files at once.

Note: It is very important to check in all files in one batch. If this isn't possible then don't check in any files.

1. Make sure the Authoring perspective is being used. New method elements can only be added from within this perspective.
2. Use the tree-browser to navigate to the area where the new element will reside.
3. Right-click on the target location to bring up secondary menu and select Add new element.
4. The Add to source control dialog box will appear.
5. Note: If prompted to Add to Source Control the .lock and .project files, deselect them in the Add to source control dialog box.

1. Before deleting a method element, make sure that it and any files that depend on it are checked-in. If the file is not checked-in it may be left behind in the file system.
2. Make sure the Authoring perspective is being used. Method elements can only be deleted from within this perspective.
3. Right-click on the target element to bring up secondary menu and select Delete.