Tool Mentor: Setting Up the Implementation Model Using Rational ClearCase

Purpose

This tool mentor describes how to create a framework in the development environment for organizing and storing configuration item artifacts related to the implementation and delivery of the software product. The physical representation of subsystems in the development environment defines the "product directory structure" and is, in effect, the software Implementation Model. This tool mentor explains how to set up the Implementation Model directory.

This section provides links to additional information related to this tool mentor.

• Structure the Implementation Model
• Write Configuration Management (CM) Plan
• Set Up Configuration Management (CM) Environment

Terminology

There are some differences between RUP terminology and  that used by ClearCase. The following definitions of tool-specific terminology should help clarify the differences.

• Activity: A ClearCase activity maps closely to a RUP Work Order. It is not to be confused with the RUP concept of an Activity.
• Configuration Management: In the context of ClearCase, use of the term Configuration Management refers to Version Control and Build Management. RUP uses the IEEE and ISO definitions of Configuration Management (CM), which also includes Change Management as part of CM.
• Configuration and Change Management: Both ClearCase and Rational ClearQuest refer to Configuration and Change Management, which is synonymous with the RUP definition of Configuration Management. RUP uses these terms synonymously.
• Project: A ClearCase project maps to the RUP Project Repository.

Overview

Before beginning to use ClearCase, it's important to know whether you'll use ClearCase Unified Change Management (UCM), an out-of-the-box usage model, or base ClearCase, which provides a set of tools that can be used to construct other usage models.

This tool mentor is applicable to both ClearCase UCM and base ClearCase tasks, whereas all of the other ClearCase tool mentors presented in the RUP use the UCM model.

This tool mentor is applicable when running Microsoft Windows.

Tool Steps

To set up the implementation model with Rational ClearCase:

1. Create the Configuration Management (CM) repositories (ClearCase VOBs).
2. Import existing files and directories into the VOBs.
3. (Optional) Create an administrative VOB to contain definitions of global type objects.

1. Create the Configuration Management (CM) repositories (ClearCase VOBs)

Versioned Object Bases (VOBs) store versions of files, directories, and other objects. They serve as repositories for configuration management information. It is common to create your VOBs to be representative of the subsystems defined by your architecture.

To start the VOB Creation Wizard (Context-sensitive help is available at each step of the wizard.):

1. On the Windows task bar, click Start > Programs > Rational Software > Rational ClearCase > Administration > Create VOB.
2. The VOB Creation Wizard starts. Follow the steps that are presented to create a ClearCase VOB. Before beginning, it is helpful to know VOB naming conventions used by your site or project, and where to place the VOB storage.
3. In the remaining steps in the Wizard, do the following:
• Name the VOB and indicate whether it should be a UCM component or Project VOB (PVOB).
• Specify a VOB storage location.
• Choose Options.

  For details about creating VOBs, see the online help for the ClearCase VOB Creation Wizard.

  For an overview of setting up VOBs, see the chapter "Setting Up ClearCase VOBs" in the ClearCase manual Administrator's Guide.

2. Import existing files and directories into the VOBs

Working within a ClearCase view produced for your project, create the desired top-level directory structure within your VOBs, and copy existing files and directories into each VOB to create an initial set of development configuration items (Rational ClearCase elements).

1. From ClearCase Explorer, select the directories and files you want to import. 
2. Right-click to display a menu of commands and select Add to Source Control. This creates a ClearCase element for each of the highlighted objects.

  For information on importing large volumes of files, see the clearimport command in the ClearCase manual Command Reference.

3. (Optional) Create an administrative VOB to contain definitions of global type objects

Optionally, you may want to create an Administrative VOB to contain definitions of global type objects. Create an administrative VOB to contain definitions of global type objects used in defining baselines in your subsystems.

To create an administrative VOB, start the VOB Creation Wizard previously described in Step 1 and follow the prompts.

   For more information about working with administrative VOBs, see "Using Administrative VOBs and Global Types" in the ClearCase manual titled Administrator's Guide.

Rational Unified Process