Repository Branches

A branch is a view of the version tree, which shows all the document versions present in its parent branch at the time the new branch is created.

The branch from which the branch is created is called its base branch. By default, the repository contains a single branch called <default>. There is no limit to the number or level of branches.

Each time you connect to the repository, you have a current branch, and the repository browser displays only the document versions that exist in that branch, AND those in its base branch.

Branches are used to allow parallel updates of a document, and can be used to organize and make accessible multiple versions of a document.

The following example shows three documents being used by a software development team:

The project includes three branches used to perform different tasks:

Depending on the type of release on which they are working, each engineer will choose a different branch to connect to in the repository, and will have access to different versions of the documents:

• Creating a Branch
  When you connect to the repository for the first time, the <Default> branch is automatically created. This branch is the trunk of the version tree. All future branches that you create will have <Default> as either their base branch or a more distant ancestor.
• Changing Branch
  Each time you connect to the repository, you are connected to a specific branch. If you have not created any branches, then you are connected to the <Default> branch.
• Checking a Document into a Branch
  When you check in a document, it is always checked into the branch to which you are currently connected. If you want to check your document into another branch, you must change branch before beginning your check in.
• Managing Branch Members
  When you create a new branch, it has no version members of its own, but it does have access to all the document versions of its base branch and all its ancestor branches.
• Deleting a Branch
  If you have the Manage Branches right, you can delete branches. However, you cannot delete the current branch, and you cannot delete a branch if it contains any members.