How Does Shelving Work

[btd]

We are on Vault version 5.1.1 (19215) and would like to know how Shelving works.
Is there an article or something on it or can you explain why when we shelved code, Vault still thinks its checked out. Why is that?

Thanks

Tom

[btd]

Is the purpose of Shelving to protect from unwanted builds?

As I see it, if you shelve code in and give it a unique name, does the build process over look this shelved code and uses the latest checked into Vault?

is this the purpose of shelving?

Thanks
btd

[Beth]

Shelving is a way to hold a copy of changed code in a temporary holding area on the server without checking it into Vault. The code can then be changed or undone on your machine without affecting the shelve. Other users can unshelve your changes to their machine to look at them.

What users commonly use this for is:

• --Code review prior to check in
  --QA
  --Backup of changed code that isn't ready to be checked in
  --Sharing unchecked in code with other users

[btd]

OK but why when I shelve code, which copies it to Vault, the code is still in a Checked Out state?

[Beth]

Shelving doesn't affect what is on your machine. It doesn't change the code nor affect the check outs.

[btd]

So can you shelve code into Vault WITHOUT CHECKING IT OUT?

In my case, here's what I do.

I work on a C# class library file. When I do, Vault checks it out.
Now I have to leave work so I shelve it because I haven't fully tested and I want to be safe that my changes are in Vault.

I thought Shelving removed the checked out automatically since I shelved it into Vault.

Is this not the normal behavior?

Thanks

Tom

[Beth]

Shelve will shelve items with an edited status. For most users, to get an edited status will require a check out. If you work in CVS mode, then a check out isn't required.

During a shelve you have the option to undo changes in your working folder and that will undo the check out.

[btd]

What is CVS mode?

[Beth]

CVS mode is supposed to make Vault mimic the check out behavior of CVS. You can find that options in the Tools - Options - Concurrent Development Style. When you click the CVS mode button, you will see that the options that are checked will change. They will change again if you click VSS mode. The VSS mode is the default.

[btd]

OK thanks