Real World Software Configuration Management [Paperback]

Sean Kenefick (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590590651 | ISBN-13: 978-1590590652 | Publication Date: November 5, 2003 | Edition: 1

Real World Software Configuration Management is designed for use with the latest versions of Visual Studio .NET/6.0, Visual SourceSafe 6.0c, and CVS 1.11. Sean Kenefick provides an extensive overview on software configuration/software development as well as numerous real world examples and lots of working code. While other books tend to focus on software configuration management theory, Kenefick focuses on practical solutions and processes that developers can benefit from. Most of the time, configuration management is thrust upon a junior programmer or someone from another department who knows very little about configuration management. Real World Software Configuration Management is mostly designed with this person in mind, although more experienced programmers will find the information on Visual Studio, Visual SourceSafe, and CVS beneficial.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sean Kenefick is one of the founders of cmReady Systems, a company specializing in software configuration management services and collocation/hosting solutions. Prior to that, he was the director of network operations at ConfirmNet Corporation and the manager of client applications at Motiva Software. He has taught programming languages through the University of California at San Diego Extension program since 1997.

Product Details

• Paperback: 439 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1 edition (November 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590590651
• ISBN-13: 978-1590590652
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic and practical. Right amount of info, June 19, 2004

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real World Software Configuration Management (Paperback)

SCM books range from highly detailed to general overviews. This one has just enough theory and background, and a lot of detail for two specific environments: (1) CVS and (2) SourceSafe. If you are not using either tool this book may not be the best resource.

Highlights include the way the book covers the use of the two tools in great detail, ensuring that readers in Microsoft and UNIX/Linux environments have realistic guidelines for implementing and effectively using SCM in their specific environments. Note that the examples are slanted towards the Microsoft .NET and Linux environments, which make this material relevant to a significant number of readers.

SCM as a discipline is clearly and succinctly covered. I like the way the book examines both roles and processes, and the emphasis on tasks. These make this book one of the most practical I've read because nuances of each tool, as well as unique build requirements for each of the environments are clearly covered.

If you work with either CVS or SourceSafe and want to quickly learn how to best employ either tool in their target environments for an effective SCM process this book will prove invaluable.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview, November 15, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Real World Software Configuration Management (Paperback)

Keneflick talks like he knows the business of source control and builds. My knowledge of these critical functions was based on experience and errors. (Hey, I'm a code monkey!) After reading the first seven chapters I now have a better idea how software configuration should function.

The book also provides a working knowledge of CVS, SourceSafe, and scripting builds.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sean Keeps SCM Real, May 17, 2006

By 

K. Parmalee "Ubi Libertas habitat, ibi nostra... (Atlanta GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Real World Software Configuration Management (Paperback)

Compared to the last title I read (Moreira's SCM Implementation Roadmap), Real World SCM has a considerably lighter tone (more axiomatic than prescriptive, and with some humor), not so much like a textbook. That is not a knock on Mr. Moreira; both books have their place. If you need a recipe (and forms) for creating an SCM process, get the Roadmap book. If you are a developer looking to expand your horizons, try Real World SCM.

The first four chapters present an overview of the SCM role, process, and tools. I can't quibble with any of the info presented -- my only advice would be to consider including a review of CA's Harvest tool. [...], it is one of the most popular (or one of the most buggy) source control tools available after CVS, VSS, and maybe ClearCase.

The write-up on Perforce piqued my interest. Maybe it's time to finagle an evaluation copy.

I photocopied "The Golden Rules of SCM" (p.15) and stuck it on the wall of my cube.

I skipped the chapters on CVS and VSS.

Chapter 7 also has some useful tips.

I skipped chapters 8 - 10 because I work in a Java web shop, using ant for builds, and a custom app for deployments.

Chapter 11 has some useful tips on deployment. I'm glad that most people recognize a need to manage components such as the database; I've yet to encounter an easy-to-use and consistent solution to that particular problem. Maybe my DBA can reverse-engineer our schema and hand over the scripts to version control.

To sum, the general sections will be helpful to the typical (i.e. self-trained) SCM or developer-cum-SCM; those who work in shops that build executables, deploy to clients, use CVS, VSS or .Net will find the tool-specific chapters useful. Some may need more organization in how the author presents his advice, but many readers should walk away with a reasonable amount of additional knowledge.