Source Control System Automatic Dependency Checkout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current source control systems lack the ability to automatically manage and propagate changes to dependent objects without requiring users to manually determine and manage dependencies, which is time-consuming and error-prone, and fail to prevent unauthorized changes.
Innovation Solution
A source control system that automatically checks out dependent objects when a parent object is checked out, using a processor and database to determine and propagate changes, eliminating the need for user intervention in managing dependencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual dependency management is implemented, then users have control over which objects are checked out, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The source control system automatically performs dependency determination and object selection without requiring user intervention. The system self-services by querying the database for dependent objects and automatically checking them out, eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining accuracy through systematic database queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes dependency relationships in the database before check-out operations. By having dependency information预先 stored and structured in the database, the system can quickly retrieve and act on dependency information automatically when a check-out request is made, avoiding real-time manual analysis.
2Productivity
If automatic check-out of dependent objects is implemented, then the process is streamlined and faster, but unauthorized changes may occur to dependent objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates authorization verification as a feedback mechanism in the automatic check-out process. Before automatically checking out dependent objects, the system queries the database to verify user authorization status for each dependent object, and only proceeds with check-out if authorization is confirmed, thus preventing unauthorized changes while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The database acts as an intermediary that mediates between the automatic check-out function and authorization control. The database stores both dependency relationships and authorization information, allowing the system to automatically retrieve and verify authorization status as part of the check-out process, enabling both automation and security control.
3Reliability
If all dependent objects are automatically checked out, then change propagation is ensured, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts dependency tracking functionality from the manual check-out process and implements it as a separate database-driven automated function. By storing dependency relationships in the database and creating a distinct automatic check-out mechanism that queries this database, the system ensures accurate change propagation while managing complexity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
This software invention requires that information be saved with each object that is placed in a source control system. This information includes the name, type, status, version number, and references to parent objects. When the object is checked-out, this information is used to determine the legality of checking-out any dependent objects. A method is used to generate the information that is saved and another method is used to determine which objects need to be checked-out. The dependent objects that need to be checked-out are then automatically checked-out.