Using beyond compare in clearcase

[md_faizy]

Hi,

Beyond Compare is a really cool software. However, when I use it with clearcase in my office, I have to loose the facility of xmldiff (as explained on the home page on how to use beyond compare in clearcase).
I really wanted to have both xmldiff and BC for the clearcase element since some files show good difference with xmldiff while others show better results with BeyondCompare.

So, I just spent some time a wrote a small tool which will allow us to use BC with clearcase file element without having to change the "map" file and loose xmldiff.
The script can be downloaded from:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/bc-cc/
http://bc-cc.sourceforge.net

I am trying to improve on this script and updates would be available at the same link.

I hope this comes as a useful tool.

@Chris-> Is it possible for Scooter Software to include this link in the section where it explains how to edit the "map" file and use BeyondCompare in clearcase? I hope to have not violated any legal term from Scooter software. Please let me know if it so, I would be obliged to correct it.

Regards,
Faizy.

[Aaron]

Hello,

Thanks for the feedback and project. We do not have a copy of ClearCase to test with, but I looked over the .bat and it looks like it is used to evoke Beyond Compare for a diff. Is Clearcase able to then use this bat file to perform the diff when manually selected from the Send To menu, while still retaining the default diff tools in order to diff xml files?

If so, this means the Send To menu is available. Would the Shell Extension not work in this case? Normally, similar BC3 shortcuts are available in the Explorer right-click menu for selecting files and then comparing them.

Thanks again for taking the time to create and setup the sourceforge project. We have a few other similar tools that we link to, and many customers who appreciate the effort.

[Lutz]

If I remember correctly (after 1,5 years not using CC) the Shell Extension isn't available in CC-tools as Version Tree or Element History.
If you want to compare two versions of an element you have to select both but normally you have to modify the map-file to override the built-in type manager.
As SendTo is available on every version of an element in CC-tools Faizys extension provides the possibilty to pick the two versions in sequence without using the type manager.
I rarely remember, but I think I needed this in the past and I'm unhappy that I can't use it while not using CC anymore.

Greetings Lutz

[md_faizy]

Hi Aaron,

The right-click option in clearcase (in version tree or explorer view) does not show the shell extension of BeyondCompare (as it shows for files under windows). However, it does show the SentTo option and hence I felt the need of creating this bat file.

@Lutz -> You are absolutely correct and your memory has served you well. This bat file can be used with any version control or anyother software which provides access to the SentTo in their extension.

[Aaron]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll look into updating our KB article and adding a link. :)