How do we know this version of source code is what we think it is?
Developers are optimists. Formally managing source code changes at the beginning of a project sometimes feels like an extra burden. But skipping this step at the start of a project only delays cost (a so-called “technical debt”) until later in development.
For example:
Figuring out which system components to change when requirements change
Re-doing an implementation because we modified code according to changed requirements but did not communicate that to other team members
Losing productivity when we replace a component with a faulty new version and can’t quickly revert to a working state
Replacing the wrong component because we couldn’t accurately determine which component needed replacing
Requirements and developers are constantly changing. Over time, IT systems invariably move towards a state of disorder. Left unchecked, these continuous software changes lead to a degradation in performance and quality. It is only through automation and Software Configuration management principles that this pitfall can be prevented.
Need to avoid errors and downtime when changing source code?
Automate the process with ARCAD Skipper!
Manage source code at all stages of development
Maintenance reports define the scope and priority of maintenance actions
Versions become a packaged collection of maintenance reports
A check in/out process controls who can change which source code and when
Components can be shared safely, with source modifications performed in parallel
Validation allows shared source code to be merged safely
Component consistency checking helps ensure consistency of components in a change group
Open and flexible, for platform-specific or multi-platform teams
Option of separate or unified repositories