Abstract: A data processing system and method for controlling files at a local development site within a geographically distributed multisite software development project includes a storage device, a processor, a mastership enforcer and an exchanger. The storage device stores a local replica including a plurality of files. Each file comprises a plurality of branches, and each branch comprises a plurality of versions of the file. The processor executes instructions, and retrieves and stores versions of the files in the storage device. The mastership enforcer provides the processor with the exclusive capability to modify specific branches by adding new versions of target files as determined by multisite mastership rules. The processor can create new versions of the target files, which are stored in the local replica within the storage device.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for controlling versions of data, features a processor, a storage device for storing versions of objects, and an object version selector for providing the processor with access only to specific versions of target data objects as determined by a set of selection rules. The selection rules are evaluated for an object when that object is accessed by the processor. The version selector includes a means for viewing the selected versions of the target objects as a transparent file system having directories, files, and links. The version selector applies the existing version selection rules to newly created objects, and can also store the identity of a selected object version in a cache memory.

Abstract: A data processing system and method features an object selector including an auditor for recording, as an audit record, which versions of objects are accessed by a processor during a data processing process. Each derived object is associated with an audit record. A system build process starts the auditor prior to executing commands which produce derived objects, and stops the auditor when those commands are completed. The process also includes any arbitrary sequence of commands. An audit cache memory stores the most recent audit entries made by the auditor while producing an audit record. A linker is also provided for linking a common identifying label to each object version whose identity is recorded as an entry in an audit record associated with the identifying label. An audit record comparator is provided for determining the difference between source object versions used in building two or more derived object versions.

Abstract: A heterogeneous configuration management tool enables building of a software system in a heterogeneous network of computers. In building a desired software system, the tool enables at least one component of the system to be translated by a foreign computer of the network and other components of the system to be translated by other computers of the network. A reference to a version indicator is passed to the foreign computer to provide the foreign computer an indication of user-specified version of the component being translated by the foreign computer. The reference is expanded during processing on the foreign computer. Pathname transformation files are employed to provide transformation of a pathname in one computer of the network to a corresponding pathname in another computer of a network. Binaries resulting from component translations are stored in split pools. In turn, split releases of the built software system are enabled.

Abstract: A support system for Computer-Aided Software Engineer (CASE) applications provides configuration management and features such as transparent retrieval of named versions of program sequences on a line by line basis as well as task monitoring and reporting. A modification record is maintained for all changes to the modules in the system build library by version numbers. Any version of a module can be obtained on a line by line basis as well as several different versions simultaneously thus supporting multiple concurrent system work on different versions by multiple users. Module monitoring is provided whereby if a module is modified when it is being monitored, all persons who might be affected thereby are notified. Task monitoring also provides notification and monitoring of tasks being accomplished as well as "blueprints" to follow in the future for the accomplishment of the same or similar tasks.