Viewing a Files History

SourceSafe gives developers to view previous versions of a file and to roll back changes, useful to undo modifications made in error or due to clients changing their minds. Viewing a files history can also help developers understand why changes were made (provided comments were adequatly added when files were checked in) and also determine when those changes were made.

To view a files history:

1. Select the project and file you wish to view the history on:
   
   
   
2. Right mouse click on the file name
   
   
   
3. Select Show History
4. SorceSafe allows you to specify the date range, if you leave these fields blank (From and To) SourceSafe will show the entire file history. The User field will allow you to specify a user to show (files checked in by a given user) leaving this blank will show history for all users. In general leave all fields blank and click OK.
   
   
   
5. A dialog will be displayed showing the file's entire history, in this case there are two versions - the first when it was added to SourceSafe and a second when it was modified and checked back in. Select the version you wish to view details on and then click the Details button. Clicking Close will return you to the SourceSafe main screen, clicking View will allow you to view the current version of the file (the appropriate program will be launched or the Operating System will query you for which program to use), clicking Get will download the current version without checking it out, clicking Diff will show the differences between versions but this will only work on text files (not binary files such as reports), Pin allows you to set a version as the current production version and disallows changes to the file, Roll back will allow you to make a previous version the current version and clicking Report will generate a simple report detailing changes and differences (text files only).
   
   
   
6. The details will display the date the file was modified and the comment associated with it. Developers should always fill out the comments field when checking files in for they will be displayed here. This information will help others understand why changes were made. Hitting the Next and Previous buttons will allow you to view previous versions or the next version of the file. Note the comment field can also be modified - this is useful in the event a developer did not enter comments thereby forcing you to research the issue.
   
   
   
7. Clicking Close will return you back to the previous screen.