GIT versus ClearCase Version Control Systems

547 Words2 Pages

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Modern software contains hundred lines of code and can be developed by several developers at the same time. Based on that, the need of a version control system that keeps track of the work and controls it, becomes crucial (Ruparelia N., 2010). This vital role of version control system could contribute in improving the performance, on the other hand, it could be a source of frustration (Rosso and Jackson, 2013).

The history of version control systems emerged as a Local Version Control Systems at the beginning. These systems used mainly to copy files into another directory. Thereupon Centralized Version Control Systems appeared and made it feasible to collaborate with developers from other systems. These system implemented by having a single server that contained all the versioned files and a number of clients. In order to avoid the drawbacks of centralization, Distributed Version Control Systems, Git is one of them, developed. These systems allow the clients to have their own copies of the whole repository.(Chacon, 2009).

ClearCase and Git are two of the most known version control systems. The former launched in the 1990s by IBM which supports parallel and geographically-distributed software development (Allen L. et al., 1995). While the later launched 2005 and adopted by Linux developer as a free and open-source distributed version control system (Ruparelia N., 2010).

According to O’sullivan (2009), the choice of a version control system is a significant process for each company that needs it. It should suit the type of work which done by the company. Moreover, as a software developer replacing one version control system with another might affect the development environment. For instance, replacing ClearCase with Git might involve challenges and benefits. One study which conducted by De Rosso and Jackson (2013) tried to shed the light on the root causes of Git’s complexity by analyzing its conceptual model and identifying some undesirable properties. Yet, there is no research has been done to address the differences between these two systems or the difficulties and the benefits that associated with each one of them. This lack of knowledge arise the question about how to tell if this replacement is a step toward a better development environment or not. Yet if these benefits and challenges addressed clearly, then the questions could be answered easily.

1.2 Research objectives

This study described the potential practical benefits and drawbacks that resulting of using Git instead of ClearCase as a version control system from software developers point of view.

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