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Add SourceSafe Database Wizard

  • Article

Locates and configures a Visual SourceSafe database. If you cannot find an existing database to use, the wizard allows you to create a new one.

Wizard Access

In Visual SourceSafe Explorer or a SourceSafe plug-in for Visual Studio, access the Open SourceSafe Database dialog box, and click Add.

In Visual SourceSafe Administrator, access the Open SourceSafe Database dialog box, and click Add. Alternatively, on the File menu, you can click New Database. Click Next after you read the welcome page.

Note

The steps included in the wizard can vary depending on what version of Visual SourceSafe you have installed and the options you have chosen.

Wizard Step - Database Selection

The wizard will ask you if you want to connect to an existing database or create a new one.

  • Connect to an existing database
    Select to enter information and connect to an existing database.
  • Create a new database
    Select to create a new database.
  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next
    Proceeds to the next step of the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

Wizard Step - Internet Access

If you are using the Visual SourceSafe Internet plug-in, the Internet Access step prompts you to enter the address for the Visual SourceSafe Web service and the local file path to the srcsafe.ini file on the Visual SourceSafe server.

  • Address
    Enter the URL for the VSS Internet Web Service.

  • Folder
    Enter the path to the Visual SourceSafe database on the Visual SourceSafe server.

    Note

    Because the Web service can serve multiple databases, you must specify the known path of the Visual SourceSafe database. You do not need local access to that path, it is used by the Visual SourceSafe Web Service to communicate with the database.

  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next
    Proceeds to the next step of the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

Wizard Step - Share Location

If you are connecting to an existing database, the wizard will ask you for the share location for the database.

  • Location
    Enter the database information.
  • Browse
    Click to search for the database location.
  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next
    Proceeds to the next step of the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

Wizard Step - New Database Location

The New Database Location step prompts you to enter the location of the Windows file share to contain the database. The location is either a local path or a UNC path.

  • Location
    Allows you to type the location in which to create the database. Alternatively, you can click Browse to navigate to the location.
  • Browse
    Searches for the location in which to create the database.
  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next
    Proceeds to the next step of the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

Wizard Step - Database Connection Name

The Database Connection Name step requests you to enter a friendly name for the database connection that you are specifying. Use a name that has meaning to you and will be easy to remember.

  • Name
    Allows you to type a database name.
  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next
    Proceeds to the next step of the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

Wizard Step -Usage Configuration

The Usage Configuration step is only shown if you are creating a new database. It allows you to set a work style for using the database.

  • Lock-Modify-Unlock
    Selects the Lock-Modify-Unlock work style, which sets exclusive locks on files and allows only one person to edit a file at a time. Use this work style if your team members do not need to share files. This work style is also known as the exclusive checkout model.
  • Copy-Modify-Merge
    Selects the Copy-Modify-Merge work style, which allows simultaneous checkouts of the same file by multiple users. Use this work style if members of your team need to work in parallel. This work style is also known as the multiple checkout model.
  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next
    Proceeds to the next step of the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

Wizard Step - Completing the Wizard)

Step 5 is the final step of the wizard. It summarizes what you have done and gives you file share settings that reflect the choices you have made for your database. If you want to change the settings that you have made, you can use the Back button to return to previous steps of the wizard.

  • Name
    Provides the database name that you have assigned.
  • Database Path
    Specifies the database path that you have selected.
  • Team Version Control Model
    Shows the Version Control method you have selected.
  • Back
    Returns to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Finish
    Completes the add database operation and exits the wizard.
  • Cancel
    Exits the wizard without completing the add database operation.

See Also

Reference

Open SourceSafe Database Dialog Box

Concepts

Work Styles

Other Resources

Visual SourceSafe User Interface Reference