Stream FAQs

Which operations are not allowed for streams?

Any commands that allow folders or items to be changed directly cannot be used. This forces the user to always use deliver to get changes into a stream. Get, Update, and Deliver are the three core commands for streams

Examples of operations that are not available for streams and work areas that are associated with streams are:

Check in
Check out
Revise Item
Edit Item
The Project Merge tool.

Should each developer work in their own private stream?

No, as a general rule a team of developers working on a feature should share a stream. For example, a sprint team is working on a specific feature or a maintenance team is working on a patch release. However, it is good practice for a developer to create a private stream if they are working on a change that may destabilize the team’s main development stream.

Can I mix and match streams and projects?

Yes, some teams can use streams and others use projects.

Can I create a stream from a project?

No, you can only create a stream from another stream or a baseline. This avoids the potential for conflicts to be introduced into the new stream. To create a stream based on a project you need to create a tip baseline from the project and then create a stream from that baseline.

Can I merge a project and a stream?

No, you cannot merge a project into a stream but you can merge a stream into a project.

As an existing Dimensions CM user how do I convert my projects into streams?

You need to create a release or tip baseline from your current development project and then create a new stream from this baseline. This new stream represents your mainline stream from which you can create a branch stream for development work.

What happens to developers’ work areas when they have converted to using streams?

After creating a new stream based on a project, each developer needs to create a new empty work area and run the Update command on that work area before they start work.

Can I use the Check-in, Check-out, Get, and Update Item commands in a stream?

No, streams use optimistic locking. The only way to populate your work area is with the Update or Get commands. You can only add files to a stream using the Deliver command.