Checking Out a File

Once you save a file to Source Safe the version on your local drive will be set to read only, it is advised that you do not manually change this setting and make changes to the file. Instead you should check it out of Source Safe and then make necessary modifications. Not following this protocol will result in a situation where it will be nearly impossible to save the new version into Source Safe. The program is setup this way by design since if it did not then two users could easily make modifications simutaneously and it will be the case that one person's changes will overwrite those of another. Source Safe is a version control system that requires users to check a file out before making changes and by default allows only one user at a time to check a file out. Note that the system can be changed to allow multiple persons to check out a file however doing so will create the potential for multiple versions and an administrator or developer will be required to manually reconcile the differences between versions.

Checking out a file is relatively straight forward.

1. Select the project/subproject which the file you want to check out is located in.
   
   
   
2. Right mouse click on the file you wish to check out and select Check Out from the resulting menu.
   
   
   
   
3. Enter a comment and select the directory the file should be checked out to and click OK. Note entering a comment is optional but it will help other developers/users understand why the file is checked out.
   
   
   
   The following message will be displayed if there is a file currently stored locally and that file's readonly flag has been removed. Typically selecting "Replace your local file with the version from SourceSafe" and clicking OK will not be problematic. However, be certain there have not been modifications made to the local file before doing this.
   
   
   
4. The file will be availible locally to edit/modify and SourceSafe will indicate it is checked out to you (your username) along with the directory it is checked out to.
   
   
   
5. Modifications can now be made to the file, once all desired modifications have been made be sure to check the file back in. Not checking a file back in will result in other developers being unable to perform modifications on the file. Also, it is recommended you do not move the file to a different directory, doing so will make it more difficult for you to check it back in.