GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Hello All
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Welcome to the community chat.
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): My name is Gaurav Khanna and am filling in for Subhashini as the moderator
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): as she is stuck in traffic
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Welcome to the chat on VSS - our expert for the day is Vipul Patel
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Before I start
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): few ground rules - to post a question, select the Question radio button and then submit ur question
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): any questions submitted without following this procedure will not be entertained
GKhanna_MS (Moderator):
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): That said.. lets get started
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Welcome Vipul
GKhanna_MS (Moderator):
Vipul (Expert): Hello All...I am Vipul Patel and today we shall be discussing about Configuration Management using Visual SourceSafe
Vipul (Expert): i shall begin by the basics...
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Very well - so how would u want to start off? Best Practices?
Vipul (Expert): We shall start with learning about VSS with Microsoft developer environments, like Visual Studio and Visual Studio.NET, following with best practises with VSS.
Vipul (Expert): Most of us IDEs like Visual Studio and VS2003 for our projects...Vipul (Expert): Now, these IDEs coming from the sameflagship company (Microosoft) are tightly integrated with VSS. so you can perform your source control from with the IDE itself.
Vipul (Expert): IN VS2003 , you have the option File > Source COntrol... You can bind your porject to a project in VSS and then seemlessly checkin -checkout from the IDE itself.
Vipul (Expert): You may need to enabke source control provider to VSS . That option will be under Tool > Options > Source control.
Vipul (Expert): Now, that we use VSS on a regular basis. here are a few tips..
Vipul (Expert): Make sure that you do now flood your project with overwhlming size. the performance of VSS decreases rapidly when Database size increases beyond 3 GB.
Vipul (Expert): TIP: If you think your project will expand beyong 3 GB, break it into smaller projects.
Vipul (Expert): Ganeshk: i am beginning with best practices.
Vipul (Expert): wnderdot: smaller projects does not mean more and one VSS> It means more projects.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: can you brief on what all VSS can do and what it does not do in a bird view
A: VSS is a configuration managemenet tool. like Rational ClearCase and CVS>. It is used to track file historyies, create baselines when you have a software delivery, etc...
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Would like to know on how to do versioning management using VSS
A: You need to add the file to source control and then you can check in and check out the file. Right click the file and you will get the options.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Is Smaller projects means more than one VSS
A: No, it means that you have more than one VSS database. You can create multiple database fromVSS admin .. Go to Tools> Create Database..
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Do .net2003 has its own VSS or we have to use the one with Visual studio 6.0
A: VS2003 uses the same VSS from VS 6.0, only it has been tweaked to perform better
Vipul (Expert): Tip 2: CM Admins: Use Analyze tool frequently.
Vipul (Expert): Analyze tool checks the integrety of the VSS database. Over time, the file system of your VSS database may get dis-oriented. Anaylze tools checks for this and you will be aware of this very early on. You should run the Analyle tool on a weekly basis.
Vipul (Expert): Tip3: Location: VSS performs best under NTFS file system on Windows NT and higher.... If you have many VSS users, a performance boost will be well worth it.
Vipul (Expert): Tip4: Free disk space: Whenever you run the Analyze tool, make sure you have ample free space, equal to you VSS database folder size. You do not want to run out of Hard disk space when the analyze tool is running else, it will corrpt the database.
Vipul (Expert): Tip5: Check on restored version and then run Analyze on main database: TO prevent loss in information, always perform Analyze on restored version on not on the live database.. If the analyze on the restored is cussessful, then you can proceed to the live version.
Vipul (Expert): Tip6: Make sure you do not have any active users when running backup-restore-anaylze-anaylze and fix utility. This is because any changes made by the user after the activity is started will not be reflected in the current version and you may have orphaned version of some file. Make sure that all users logout before you do any suck utility runs.
Vipul (Expert): Tip 7: Server rights: Assign rights to the VSS database wisely, Start with Readonly and give a "try" project with write-access to all for new users to play with. OOnce they get comfortable, then provide them rights on the necessary folders. You dont want to loose any information, just because some one did not know how to use VSS.
Vipul (Expert): Tip8: Synchronize the dates and system clocks for all Visual SourceSafe client computers with the Visual SourceSafe server. This prevents check-in and check-out operations from appearing to happen out of sequence and affects any labels that are applied. Synchronizing dates and system clocks is particularly important when users from different time zones access the same database
Vipul (Expert): Tip 9: Moving VSS: Dont use XCOPY simply because it does not copy some zero-byte files and VSS file system has plenty of these... Instead use Windows Explorer to copy your database to create a backup...
Vipul (Expert): How to run analyze:Step 1: Analyze –V4
Vipul (Expert): Tip10: Make your backup and daily as well as weekly jobs.... Liek your code folder should be backup up daily whereas the project management and archive folders can be archived weekly.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: I would like to know more about merging in case of simultaneous check out of a single document
A: When a single document is checked out multiply, when the second user checks in(he gets to know what changes were made by the first user) and then he can make sure that he does not override the first user's code
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, can you please exlain about Multiple Checkouts, Versioning, Merging
A: Multipe checkouts: A file can be checked out by more than one person at a timeVersioning: The system of keeping a file history of a document with history numbers like, 1st version(Created initial draft), 2nd version (Reviewed by Manager)Merging: The process followwed by the second user of multiple checkout to make sure that the file which he checks in does not override the first user's work
Vipul (Expert):
Q: is multiple check out supported? if yes then how?
A: Multiple checkout is support, but not recommended. To enable multipl checkouts, GO to VSS Admin application. TOols Options. In the General Tab, chekc "Allow multiple checkouts"
Vipul (Expert):
Q: When does second user get updated copy of the first user when there are multiple check-outs ?
A: When he tried to check in his file.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: is backup and recovery safe in VSS
A: If the Analyze results say the database is clean. then you can safely go ahead and perform backup and recovery. Else, you need to fix the database.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: The whole file got messed up...had to resolve compilation errors..any tips on how to merge sucessfly?
A: I would recommend to not use multiple checkout with VSS 6.0. It is not a good tool for multiple checkouts.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Can we have simultanous checkouts for the same file by multiple users
A: yes, you need to enable multiple checkouts. please check the a few questions back I have answered the same.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: will analyze tool help fix the problem if any or will it just detect the problem?
A: Analyze when used with the proper swicthes will fix... Some options fill just identify, some options will fix... please check the previous questions.. I have answered that
Vipul (Expert):
Q: i want to know how to do labeling and create build out it
A: When you want to label a project, Select the project. File -> Label and give the name of the label...
Vipul (Expert):
Q: can we write the comment in the header of file when we checked in File
A: you can write the comment in the comment space given by the VSS. IN that way the comment will be in the VSS database and not in the file. You can also write the comment in the file, for future, like you migrate to another source control.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: I came to know about one of diadvantages of VSS :- Database size cannot exceed 3 GB..Why is it so ??
A: Because VSS uses a windows based file system...All the data is in form of files. when there are thousands of files, you will surely get a performance hit.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: If we enable VSS through IDE, and then decide follow the concept of smaller projects for fotnet projects, how can we implement the same?
A: Technically, your code for a project will never reach 3 GB so this will not be a concern. But in case you need to do the same, make sure you make the proper settings when archiving... You can clean up your database that way
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Ashsih could you please give some breif idea that how multiple check-outs take place
A: Already answered
Vipul (Expert):
Q: SIMPLE Question : how can I set a particular folder as working folder once for all...currently I have to set every time I start a VSS session
A: Right click the pojetc for which you need to set the working folder and then Set Working folder. Make sure the Save as default for project is checked. IF it faisl even after this, then please advise your VSS admin to check the file permission for you on the VSS database. I is possible that you have read access to your file in
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, if the first user is working on a file and has not checked how will VSS merge when the second user checks in same file
A: Then the first user will be intimated of the changes by the second user.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Can you brief on Advantage of VSS over Rational ClearCase and CVS
A: Basic Advantage: Tight integration with Visual Studio IDE
Vipul (Expert):
Q: I would like to know how merging is done
A: Already Answered
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Can I link the users from my active directory to VSS users list?
A: I shall revert later on this.. Please email me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com.. This is a very specific case. We can take this offline. You can also check with the chat transacript.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: But if there is an existing project which has crossed 3gb what should we do
A: Try to move the archive information (for which you dont need version history) to a new database. Else, get a better server configuration if you have a performance hit.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Whats Team Development all about.. is that the next generation VSS management tool?
A: Team Development is about development taks -based. When you check in a file in VS2005 (to be released soon), you will have to check it out against an activity. So you will always know for a particular activity which files you modified.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: No I mean Project Versioning management!. Save all weekly versions may be would like to save versions every 3 days.
A: Can you rephrase your question? I did not get the jist of it
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Had a query related to Database Objects being versioned from VSS directly. Is that feature there in VSS 6? I guess there is some sort of compatibility od DB objects with VSS.Net? Please elaborate on this.
A: can we take it offline.. mail me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: is Archive facility provided in VSS
A: Yes,... You need to go to the VSS admin applicatrion Archive > Archive projects...
Vipul (Expert):
Q: what do you mean by cleaning the database if the file system is dis - oriented? what will be the result after fixing the database?
A: You will have a faster database. And you will be able to restore that database on any other computer.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Once labeled How do we retreve thea particular labled build
A: Right click that file/folder, and see history... and then browse to that .. The version containing the label text which you specified can be retrived by doing a Get..
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Hi vipul, can we connect to VSS server remotely, i mean if our server os not in LAN if is in other states (through internet)
A: Yes, there is a separate tool fr that from Source Gear
Vipul (Expert):
Q: hi Vipul, can I set any folder to be the working folder permanently...currently I have set working folder in each session of VSS
A: Already answered
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Hi Vipul, Is it possible to search files as we do in windows evironment ?
A: Yes, Tools > Find in Files...
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Hi vipul,in order to solve the 3gb space problem is it possible to have 2 databases on 2 different machines and merge them or can share certain common files to save space
A: you can havethe database on the same machine, that is not a issue. you need gto have two different VSS databases... Go to VSS Admin, Tools> Create Database..... Hope this helps
Vipul (Expert):
Q: How to make network id as VSS login
A: Ask you VSSadmin to ue the VSS Admin console > Tools> Options > Check :"Use network name for automatic user login"
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Hi Vipul, How to find out deleted files in the VSS.
A: There is no mechanisn to finding deleted files. I would reocmmend that you dont deleted any files permanently.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, Is Visual Source Offsite in the same line as SourceSafe that supports remote login
A: Can we take this offine. I need to investiaget (vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com)
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Any more questions ?
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Find in files option can works only for text files..?
A: yes
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): We are at the end of the chat - hopefully the chat was of much use to you
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Thank you Vipul - for joining in.
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Thank you all for joining in.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Hi vipul is there any major diff between VSS 6 and VSS whidbey
A: Yes, there will be huge difference.. VSS2005 (WHidbey version) will be a lot better that the current VSS . You can check out
GKhanna_MS (Moderator): Looking forwar to seeing you all for the next chat
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, Is Visual Source Offsite in the same line as SourceSafe that supports remote login
A: Can we take this offiline,I need to investigate this...
Vipul (Expert):
Q: How to find out delete files from VSS
A: not possible
Vipul (Expert):
Q: How to find out deleted file from VSS ?
A: not possible in VSS 6.0
Vipul (Expert):
Q: hi Vipul, can I set any folder to be the working folder permanently...currently I have set working folder in each session of VSS
A: Yes, already answered earlier
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, Is Visual Source Offsite in the same line as SourceSafe that supports remote login
A: Already answered
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Is it possible to archive files rather than project?
A: No.. You can only archive projects. But you can share a file to another project and then archive it...
Vipul (Expert): All: Please note that I will answer most of unasnwered question on my blog: http://spaces.msn.com/members/vipul in a few days from now.. Be sure to check them out...............
Vipul (Expert):
Q: how do search in non-text files?
A: not possible.....
Vipul (Expert):
Q: In coming version, we are able to find out deleted files ?
A: no idea as of yet.. i shall try to find out and answer, please check my blog.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Is there any automatic merge tool available when you do multiple-checkouts?
A: not from microsoft...
Vipul (Expert):
Q: is there any option to find a particular file in the vss
A: yes. View > Search > Wildcard search
Vipul (Expert):
Q: When is the next version releasing?
A: soon. thats the best i can say right now. It shall be in this year.. Chekc out microsoft.com/ssafe for more detaisl
Vipul (Expert):
Q: VSS user rights database often gets corrupted . While changing rights of certain users, an error saying 'File or project not found' shows up, where it is quite possible to change rights of a other users. How can i prevent this
A: To make sure you dont have recurreing problems. Lock all users out and then check out the users folder in VSS> and make sure everyone in your user is present and the files are not ready only..
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Is it possible to get VSS History and comments/ labels printed in the source safe file( For Text Files)
A: Yes. Right click the file > Properties > Report > PReview. I did not understand what do you mean by "printed in the source safe file"...?
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Is there any option to retrieve files based on Label name in VSS client tool? It is available in Command tool.
A: Yes. you can retrieve files based on label... Right click folder.select version history. On the required label, go a Get.... I think it is available on command line interface. Please email me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com
Vipul (Expert):
Q: VSS user rights database often gets corrupted . While changing rights of certain users, an error saying 'File or project not found' shows up, where it is quite possible to change rights of a other users. How can i prevent this
A: already answered
Vipul (Expert):
Q: I mean that it is printed inside the file as a header
A: It was possible,,,, but can you get back to me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com. I shall investigate....
Vipul (Expert):
Q: One Q : Can i create user in VSS admin for remote access, i mean can i connect VSS thru internet, and can i create local copy through remote user
A: already answered Please email me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com and I shall investigate
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, they are concepts, but we are intrested in knowing the steps to perform the same actions. Many times, I encountered errors while merging or trying to make build out of the labeled version
A: Can you elaborate the erros.
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Hi Vipul can you please brief on the concept of 'build'
A: a build is a process in which you create a project executable
Vipul (Expert):
Q: In case of multiple checkouts can VSS make sure that the code modified by user 1 cannot be modified by user 2 until user1 checks in
A: i dont want to guess. I shall investigate this. please email me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com
Vipul (Expert):
Q: But, Vipul, managing small projects would become a problem
A: Not as much as a corrupt database
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Vipul, is multiple checkout enabled for all kinds of roles ?
A: What do you mean by roles?
Vipul (Expert):
Q: Even the same thing is available with java ide's like websphere application developerll
A: Yes...... If you are using Microsoft projects, it would be slightly better than non-MS products
Vipul (Expert):
Q: when i select 2 files and do a show differences , it shows difference b/w those 2 selected files. but what i wanted is to show differneces from the working folder for those 2 selected files. Is it possible?
A: can you rephrase your question, i did not get the jist
Vipul (Expert): OK then. thanks to all for joining the chat. You should having a chat transcript on the Community website very soon....
Vipul (Expert): You can always mail your questions to me at vipul_d_patel@hotmail.com or vipul.patel@patni.com
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