Problem:

Does StarTeam determine the status of a file based on its contents or timestamp?

Resolution:

• Product Name: StarTeam
• Product Version: 2006, 2006 R2
• Product Component: Cross-Platform Client
• Platform/OS Version: All

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  Question:

  Is the status of a file determined by its content or its timestamp?

  

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  By default, a StarTeam Client uses the file"s timestamp to compute the file status. However, it is also possible to use MD5 checksum of the file to determine the file status.

  This option is available on the following StarTeam Clients:
  - StarTeam 2005 R2 Win32 Client
  - StarTeam 2006 Cross-Platform Client
  - StarTeam 2006 R2 Cross-Platform Client

  To turn on this option, go to Tools | Personal Options | File, and enable the "Use file checksums (MD5) to calculate status" option.

  

  This uses a file’s checksum instead of its time stamp (and size) to compute the status field when the application is refreshed. The checksum provides a more accurate status value but takes longer.

  For example, with a timestamp-based status, a file’s status may be "Modified" when only its timestamp has changed. (For example, a file is opened in an editor and saved without any changes.)

  Enabling the "Use file checksums" option results in a status of "Current" because the local file checksum would match the tip revision of the file. Sometimes, two files have the same timestamp and size, even though the files are different. To get the correct status information in this case, enable the "Use file checksums" option.

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  Author: Dixon Chan