Andy Corpes writes: >Our site is currently looking at replacing our mainframe source code >management tool (SCLM) with rational clearcase. >Can anyone on the list share any experience with rational clearcase used as >a zOS source code managmen tool, in particular, for COBOL & assmebler >components, either to replace SCLM or used in conjunction with SCLM. >I am particularly interested in the "TSO Client" application provided by IBM >to allow editing + checkin/out to be performed on the mainframe, as well as >any build management solutions. >The detail would be interesting, but at the moment i am more interested in >concepts & discussions.
A few questions: 1. What goals do you hope to meet using ClearCase in lieu of SCLM? 2. Do you have SCLM (base) or SCLM Advanced Edition? 3. Do you use ClearCase somewhere else in your organization? How is it used? Answers to those might help, but I'll try to offer some general, unofficial background. You can e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for official information, and I'd recommend doing that if you haven't already. First of all, both SCLM and Rational ClearCase are now in the same software organization at IBM (i.e. Rational). That changed recently, and I think it's a good thing. I think it bodes well for the development direction for both product families. Yes, ClearCase does offer the TSO Client feature (for 3270-based programmers) as well as the Remote Build feature (so you can do your compiles from the source library). Here are some technical details: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=984&uid=pub1gi11671400 Both product families handle fundamentally the same jobs at a high level. I think how people decide between the two (or get both) revolves around some of these factors: 1. How highly customized is the build process? How complex? The more complex/customized, the more likely SCLM/SCLM Advanced is appropriate. 2. Are you using another z/OS-based source library? In my experience the preferred migration target is SCLM in those cases, although sometimes ClearCase comes along for the ride. 3. How important is your mainframe-based source code? Are there strong security, retention, availability, and disaster recovery needs? If your code is extra valuable and sensitive -- it is for many organizations -- then SCLM's z/OS foundation is a major benefit. If they do use ClearCase for mainframe development, organizations typically install ClearCase on Linux on z -- and then use that for their entire enterprise. 4. What client developer tools do you use? Rational ClearCase supports a wider variety, although both support Eclipse-based clients (including WebSphere Developer for System z). Yes, you can check-in/check-out Java code with SCLM for your Microsoft Windows deployment, to pick an example. 5. Do you have some wacky procurement problems? Base SCLM is a no-charge z/OS feature. Do you have a very large population of developers? Rational ClearCase is one-time charge per user, while SCLM Advanced Edition is one-time charge per MSU (with possible subcapacity pricing benefit). Does your organization count z/OS MIPS as religious dogma while racking up more distributed servers each hour (because they're "cheap"), look at potential (small) SCLM workload in isolation without considering full workload effects (e.g. the build process), and/or have absolutely no freaking clue how properly to measure IT costs (and is thus probably one step away from the CEO/CFO just throwing up their hands and saying "outsource the whole lot of you")? :-) Rational ClearCase is able to run on another operating system. 6. Do you outsource some of your development, or do you plan to? Do you need the same source library system to run on a distributed server, separately in the outsourcer's own facility, perhaps because network connections back to your shop are slow or difficult? Do you have poor network connections to your own remote development facility? Rational ClearCase can run on a variety of platforms. Intel/AMD Linux is a good choice if you need to run it on a distributed server, since installation and configuration steps are the same as Linux on z. 7. Are there specific features and functions in one or the other that you like? That may suggest one or the other. Are there functions in both that you like? That might suggest running both and connecting them together to move code. (Yes, that's possible.) 8. Do you need to administer the source library system itself via 3270 interfaces (in addition to graphically)? Rational ClearCase doesn't support that. 9. Do you like/need some of the other closely affiliated product functions to ClearCase, e.g. ClearQuest? That might suggest Rational ClearCase and packaged licensing. Anyway, those are some of the typical decision areas. Please do check for the latest official information. - - - - - Timothy Sipples IBM Consulting Enterprise Software Architect Specializing in Software Architectures Related to System z Based in Tokyo, Serving IBM Japan and IBM Asia-Pacific E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
