Specifications

6
Tools for Managing Program Files
This chapter describes the following tools for managing program files:
• DEC Code Management System (CMS)
• DEC Module Management System (MMS)
Both of these tools are components of DECset. DECset is a multipurpose,
multiplatform toolset with a DECwindows Motif user interface. This interface
provides similar functions and a consistent look and feel across platforms.
DECset supports software coding, testing, debugging, and maintenance activities
for multiple languages.
6.1 DEC Code Management System
Code management is especially important on large projects with long life spans
and several versions of the software. The DEC Code Management System (CMS)
provides an efficient method for storing project files and tracking all changes to
those files.
CMS stores any kind of file, including files created by an editor, compiler, or a
linker. You can use CMS to store documents (for example, plans, specifications,
and status reports), object files, executable files, sixel files, or other records.
(CMS cannot store directory files.)
You can use CMS to do the following:
• Keep track of files at every stage of development by showing who made
changes, when, and why.
• Allow programming development team members to work concurrently on the
same file without losing the changes made by any team member.
• Conserve disk space (CMS stores consecutive versions of files in a space-
efficient manner.)
• Maintain a history of library activity.
• Store files created by other software development tools, such as DEC Test
Manager.
• Mark an element generation for review to indicate that its contents should be
reviewed by other users.
• Automatically copy the latest generation of a CMS library into a reference
copy area.
6–1