Labels

Labels are text tags that can be used to mark files with related revisions. They are typically created to correspond with an event or milestone that involves a group of files, such as an issue fix, build, or release.

Labels are commonly used for retrieving file revisions associated with a specific change included in a build. For example, a developer makes a code change to fix an issue and applies the 'Bug Fix 4219' label when he checks in the file. The build manager can perform a get based on the 'Bug Fix 4219' label and build a patch that includes the fix.

Using labels makes it easier to get files, create branches, and rebase files and branches on a group of related files in different repositories. You can also search for files, generate reports, and create triggers based on labels.

When you create a label, you can make it available in a mainline branch or in a specific branch. This allows you to reuse the same label name in other branches. Labels can be applied to any files, including historical versions, in the branch. You can create and apply labels independently or at the same time as you perform the following file actions:

Add files
Get files
Check in files
Promote files or branches
Duplicate changes to a branch
View a committed changelist
View file history

Snapshot branches, which are similar to labels, can also be used to capture the state of files at a specific point in time, but you cannot check out, check in, or merge files into a snapshot branch. Your use of snapshot branches or labels depends on your organization's processes.