Checking out files

When you check out a file, Surround SCM copies a read-write version of the file to the working directory. This allows you to edit the file and make changes to it.

1. Select the files or repository and choose Activities > Check Out.

The Check Out Files dialog box opens.

2. Enter any Comments, such as the reason for checking out the file.

3. Select Exclusive check out to prevent other users from checking out the files or repository. This option is only available if multiple check outs are allowed.

4. Select Recursive to check out all files from the selected repository and all subrepositories.

5. Expand and select any additional check out options.

Select changelist options to check in files as part of a changelist.

Files you add to a changelist during check out are checked in when the changelist is committed. For example, if a change affects multiple files in multiple repositories, add the files to the changelist during check out so all files are checked in as one unit. See Adding file actions to changelists.

Select advanced options to force file retrieval from the server, specify a file overwrite option, and set the timestamp on local files retrieved from the server.

  • Force file retrieval from server checks out the server copy of the files. Select this option if the local file status is 'current' and you know that it is not. This can occur if there is a problem with the .MySCMServerInfo file.
  • Overwrite option specifies what to do if the local file and server file are different or how to handle modified files in the working directory that were removed from the server. Prompt prompts you to replace the file, skip the file, or merge the server and local files. If you merge the files, the check out operation finishes after the files are reviewed and merged. Replace automatically overwrites the local file with the server file. Skip skips the file.
If you skip retrieval of a writable file that is old (out of sync with the server), you will lose any changes in the old file when you check it in.
  • File timestamp sets the timestamp on local files when they are retrieved from the server. Current sets the timestamp to the date and time the file is retrieved. Modified sets the timestamp to the date and time the files were last modified. Check in sets the timestamp to the date and time the files were last checked in.

6. Click OK.

The files are checked out.

  • If the local and server files are different and you chose to merge them, the merge application opens. The check out operation finishes after you review and merge the files.
  • If the local directory does not exist, you are prompted to create it. See Creating local directories.