General File Copying Information

This section contains background information about copying files between workspaces.

SCCS History Files

When considering Configuring file transfer transactions, it is important to remember that source files are actually derived from SCCS deltas and are identified by SCCS delta IDs (SIDs). When a file is said to be copied by either a Putback or Bringover transaction, Configuring actually acts upon (copies or merges) the file's SCCS history file (also known as the "s-dot-file").

The means by which Configuring manipulates and merges the history files is described in detail in Chapter 10, How Configuring Merges SCCS Files." For specific technical information, refer to the sccsfile(4) man page.

Viewing Transaction Output

You view output from Configuring transaction commands in the Transaction Output window. This window is opened automatically when you invoke one of the transactions. You can also activate it yourself by clicking Show Output in any of the Transactions window layouts. Check the online help for details on TeamWare windows.

Configuring transactions are implemented through command-line based programs; some portion of the output contains messages related to the command-line implementation. This manual describes only messages that apply to the actual transactions. If you are interested in more information about the underlying command-line based programs, please refer to the appropriate man pages.

Specifying Directories and Files for Transactions

When you copy files between parent and child workspaces using the Bringover and Putback transactions, you must specify the directories and files you wish included in the transaction. The Bringover Create, Bringover Update, and Putback layouts of the Transactions window contain a File List pane. The File List pane is a scrolling text box in which you construct the list of file and directory names to be included in the transaction. You can accept the default "." convention to bringover or putback all files in a workspace.

Grouping Files for Transfer Using File List Programs

In addition to explicitly specifying files for transfer, you can execute programs that generate that list for you -- such a program is called a File List Program (or FLP). An FLP generates a list of files to stdout; the Bringover and Putback transactions read the list of files from stdout and include them in the transaction.

Configuring is shipped with a default FLP named def.dir.flp. The FLP def.dir.flp recursively lists the names of files that are under SCCS control in directories that you specify in the File List pane (see "Constructing Directory and File Lists in the File List Pane"). The files generated by this (or any) FLP are included for transfer with files that you also specify in the File List pane.

If you want to use your own FLPs during a transaction, you can specify their path names in the File List pane.

To use your own FLP:

1. Select File List Programs (FLPs) in the Parent list box.

2. Add FLPs to the list using the Add FLPs dialog box that opens when you click Add.

   See "Add Files Dialog Box" for more information.

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   You can create your own FLPs that generate lists of files that are useful for your project.

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Constructing Directory and File Lists in the File List Pane

Configuring attempts to provide you with a useful initial list of directories and files in the File List pane. You are free to modify the list in any way you wish. The initial list is constructed differently for each type of transaction:

Every workspace contains a Codemgr_wsdata/args file that is maintained by the Configuring Bringover and Putback transaction commands. The args file contains a list of file, directory, and FLP arguments. Initially, the args file contains the arguments specified when the workspace was created. If you explicitly specify arguments during subsequent Bringover or Putback transactions, Configuring determines if the new arguments are more encompassing than the arguments already in the args file; if the new arguments are of a wider scope, the new arguments replace the old.

You can edit the args file at any time to change its contents.

Selecting Files in the File List Pane

Once a list of files and directories exists in the File List pane, you can include or exclude any of them for a given transaction. To be included in a transaction, the file or directory name must be selected. You can select or deselect any number of names by moving the pointer over them and clicking. You can select or deselect the entire list by clicking Select All or Deselect All.

Loading and Saving Default Lists

You can reload the default list from the workspace args file at any time by clicking Load from args File. This feature is useful if you find that you've made changes to the list that you do not want to keep; you can use Load List from args File to revert the list to its default state.

If you change the default list and wish to make the new list the default in the workspace args file, click Save to args File. This is especially useful if you have eliminated files or directories from the list. If you add files, Configuring automatically adds them to the args file for you as part of a Bringover or Putback transaction.

Changing the Contents of the File List Pane

You add files and directories to the File List pane by using the Add Files dialog box. See "Add Files Dialog Box" for details.

You delete files and directories from the File List pane by clicking Delete and Deselect All.

You can specify the "." directory as the sole item in the file list to designate that the entire workspace be copied to the child. Enter the "." character using the Name text box in the Add Files dialog box.

Add Files Dialog Box

You can use the Add Files dialog box to conveniently add directories and files to the Transaction window File List pane. Open the Add Files dialog box by clicking Add.

Use the dialog box to navigate down through the file system hierarchy by double-clicking on any directory icon. Double-click on the directory icon to move hierarchically upward in the file system. To move directly to a directory, enter its path name in the Name text box and select the Load Directory button.

The Add Files dialog box does not permit you to navigate outside of the workspace file system.

To add a file or directory to the File List pane:

1. Select files and directories by moving the pointer over any file or directory icon and clicking.

   You can extend the selection to include any number of additional files and directories by moving the pointer over them and clicking the middle mouse button.

   You can select entire groups of files by clicking and holding the left mouse button in an empty portion of the dialog box and dragging the bounding box to surround any number of icons. When you release the button, all the files within the bounding box are selected.

   You can also add a file to the File List pane by specifying its path name in the Name text box. If you type Return, the entry will be entered immediately; you may also enter it by clicking Add Files.

2. Click Add Files to add the file to the File List pane.

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   Note -

   A check mark in a file icon indicates that the file is checked out from SCCS.

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