6.3 The lost+found Directory

Each VOB storage directory includes a special directory element named lost+found. ClearCase uses lost+found to hold elements that are no longer cataloged in any directory version in the VOB. This occurs when you do any of the following:

• Create new elements, and then cancel the checkout of directory in which they were created

• Delete the last reference to an element with the rmname command

• Delete the last reference to an element by deleting a directory version with the rmver, rmbranch, or rmelem command

When an element is moved to lost+found, it gets a name of the form

element_leaf_name.id-number

For example:

foo.41a00000bcaa11caacd0080069021c7

The lost+found directory has several unique properties:

• It cannot be checked out.

• Its contents can be modified even though it is not checked out.

• No branches can be created within it.

To move an element from the lost+found directory to another directory within the VOB, use the cleartool mv command. To move an element from the lost+found directory to another VOB, use the cleartool relocate command.

To conserve disk space, periodically clean up the lost+found directory:

• If you need an element in lost+found, catalog it in a versioned directory using cleartool mv.

• Use cleartool rmelem to remove unneeded elements.

NOTE: To access the lost+found directory from a snapshot view, you must include the directory in the view's load rules. Once lost+found and its elements have been loaded into the view, you can move or remove elements as needed.