Copy-Modify-Merge workflow

[Paul Griffiths]

Looking at Flare's source control support, it seems designed around the Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow.

I believe this is generally regarded as rather inefficient when several authors are working on a project simultaneously. In this situation, a Copy-Modify-Merge workflow is better, as it allows authors to work more autonomously.

Are Flare's souce control features in fact compatible with a C-M-M workflow?

[Dave Lee]

Looking at Flare's source control support, it seems designed around the Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow.

I believe this is generally regarded as rather inefficient when several authors are working on a project simultaneously. In this situation, a Copy-Modify-Merge workflow is better, as it allows authors to work more autonomously.

Are Flare's souce control features in fact compatible with a C-M-M workflow?

I think Flare just follows the model set up in your source control system; so that would have to be set to use CMM instead of LMU.

We currently use TFS (2010), and previously used VSS (2005), and you can use the CMM workflow.

[Paul Griffiths]

Thanks Dave, that's reassuring. I'm looking forward to trying out the new Subversion features.

[AndrewW]

I would not be too reassured. When you use the Flare 7 Subversion integration, the UI gives the impression that you're using a Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow, when in fact it uses a Copy-Modify-Commit workflow. Even if you are trying to use Subversion with a Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow (using Subversion locking functionality), Flare 7 still uses a Copy-Modify-Commit workflow, but presents it as a Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow. From what I've seen, this can cause some difficulties. If a file does really need to be locked, or actually is locked by someone else, Flare 7 does not seem to take it into account, and gets in a horrible mess.

I'm deliberately not calling it a Copy-Modify-Merge workflow, because the merge doesn't work for me either.

[Paul Griffiths]

It's good to know that I'm not the only one having problems with merge. I was beginning to wonder if it was just me.

[Andrew]

I would not be too reassured. When you use the Flare 7 Subversion integration, the UI gives the impression that you're using a Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow, when in fact it uses a Copy-Modify-Commit workflow. Even if you are trying to use Subversion with a Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow (using Subversion locking functionality), Flare 7 still uses a Copy-Modify-Commit workflow, but presents it as a Lock-Modify-Unlock workflow. From what I've seen, this can cause some difficulties. If a file does really need to be locked, or actually is locked by someone else, Flare 7 does not seem to take it into account, and gets in a horrible mess.

I agree with the above. During beta, I submitted a feature request for the UI to be changed so that, when you bind to SVN, your commands reflect what actual *Subversion* action you are performing. Otherwise, I really don't know what I'm doing when I have a file "checked out" or if I "Check In" a file. Can I even Get Lock, SVN-style?

I also asked for them to at least include a mapping (of Flare commands to SVN commands) and we don't have that, either.