1.2 MVFS Support

The ClearCase multiversion file system (MVFS) is the structure that supports the creation and use of certain ClearCase features. Some Windows and most UNIX platforms support the MVFS; some of each do not. Two areas of ClearCase functionality are dependent on the MVFS:

• Dynamic views

• ClearCase build and build-auditing tools

In ClearCase Version 2002.05.00, the MVFS is supported on all platforms except these:

• Windows 98

• Windows Me

Dynamic Views

If a ClearCase platform supports the MVFS, you can create and use both dynamic and snapshot views on it. Dynamic views use the MVFS to allow immediate, transparent access to data in a VOB. If a platform does not support the MVFS, you can create and use only snapshot views on it. For a comparison of dynamic and snapshot views, see Developing Software. At Release 4.0 and later, all platforms support snapshot views.

ClearCase Build Tools

When used from within a dynamic view on a computer with MVFS support, the ClearCase build tools clearmake, omake, and clearaudit provide significant additional functionality-for example, build avoidance, build auditing, derived object sharing-to traditional make programs. (ClearCase build tools can be used from within a snapshot view, but do not provide additional functionality in that environment.)

For more information on using ClearCase build tools, see Building Software.