Customer Reviews

Real World Software Configuration Management

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you are stuck using Microsoft's code control tool, this book may give you some practical info on branching, pinning, and all that other VSS garbage. I researched a bunch of CM books and this was the only one that detailed VSS branching.

I am a CM for a Visual SourceSafe environment and I'm glad I read the reviews here and picked up this book. It is a wonderful resource not only for anyone working with SourceSafe, but for anyone doing Configuration Management work period. I highly recommend it. I made the mistake of rushing out and getting it at Barnes & Noble when I could have ordered it here and got it in a couple days for about $15 less.

If you are a Configuration Manager or you need some good tips on CVS or SourceSafe you will definitely want to pick this up. It is the best book I have seen on SourceSafe. There is not a great deal of documentation on SourceSafe other that what you can find researching on the internet and compiling your own CM manual which I did. This is a great addition to what I have already found on the subject.

Overall, not bad information about SCM taken as a whole. Spends a bit too much time on Builds, which vary too much between development tools and such - would have been better off cutting back on that, and leaving it to a different book. The Source Control aspects were lacking. I was really looking for good information on branching strategies, and how best to use things like promotion states, and that information was almost completely non-existent.

If you haven't really started doing any work or research with SCM, this book is a decent start. But the reality is, you could probably find the same information in a few hours of reading articles you find via search engine.