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A
Anonymous
August 20, 2010
Answered

Does SVN work with RH 8?

  • August 20, 2010
  • 2 replies
  • 3339 views

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but does SVN work with RoboHelp 8?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Robo_Solar

Yes, to get the output versioned under SVN we use the Publish feature, mentioned by previous post.

However it appears that if you delete some files from the project, they are not removed from the Publish folder.

So the folder is going to retain old and unused files. It generally won't hurt, but it really may generate some confusion.

Does anyone knows a good method to avoid this?

2 replies

A
Anonymous
August 27, 2010

The fix is really easy!!!!   When you click Generate on your SSL you save it to folder A, but when you get to the last screen titled WebHelp Publish - multipleSSL(when using WebHelp) you publish to folder B.  I have made many changes, Published to B and have committed the updates to SVN with no problem, yea!  For some reasons generating messes with SVN, but Publishing does not.

Steps for the Publish screen:

  1. Open the appropriate SLL.
  2. Complete the geratation screens as usual.
  3. At the Publish screen click New.
  4. Give it a name.
  5. I select File System from the Connection Protocols to save it to my computer, you may have a different place that uses FTP or HTTP.
  6. Then just navigate to the correct folder and click OK
  7. Select any necessary Options.
  8. Click Finish.
  9. After the application generates click the Publish button instead of View Results or Done.

You can also right-click on your SSL and select Publish after you have set it up the first time, until then that option is not available.

The Publish screen lets you create multiple publish options and turn them off and on my clearing the check box.  To edit or delete a site just click on the configuration and select the appropriate button.

R
Robo_SolarCorrect answer
Inspiring
August 30, 2010

Yes, to get the output versioned under SVN we use the Publish feature, mentioned by previous post.

However it appears that if you delete some files from the project, they are not removed from the Publish folder.

So the folder is going to retain old and unused files. It generally won't hurt, but it really may generate some confusion.

Does anyone knows a good method to avoid this?

A
Anonymous
August 30, 2010

I tested the Check for deleted files option and it doesn't seem to do anything when I tested it.

R
Robo_Solar
Inspiring
August 20, 2010

I think the answer is Yes, but not "out-of-the-box". You need to address some issues to get them playing well together (e.g. choosing a svn client, automating with some scripts, implementing locking on certain files, etc.).

We abandoned RoboSource and switched successfully to SVN some weeks ago.

The initial setup was a bit complex, but now RoboHelp is fast and more manageable than before.

If you need more information, let me now.

A
Anonymous
August 20, 2010

Yes, Please I need more info. We are running SVN 1.4.8 Build 12137 32bit. We have RH 5 and they won't upgrade unless I can get V8 to work with SVN.

R
Robo_Solar
Inspiring
August 23, 2010

Ok, these are some points we targeted when using RH with SVN.

1) Choose a SVN client. It has to be installed on each pc running RH. We are using TortoiseSVN because it has a good GUI.

2) SETUP SVN SERVER

Install SVN on the server and create a repository, or simply create a folder for robohelp in your existing repository.

Import your RH project to SVN repository.

You have to esclude some files and directory in the root folder which must not be shared among workstations:

.cpd file

c. open RoboHelp project for editing, and when it close:

d. permorm a svn ADD and a svn COMMIT

4) FILE LOCKING.

Implement svn locking for files that should not be modified concurrently. Simply add the 'needs-lock' svn property on them.

Your users will need to get the lock before editing those files. When this happens RoboHelp will show a dialog notifying it needs "write access" on a file. User needs to select that file in windows explorer and use the "Get lock" feature on your svn client. This sounds a little bit annoying but it prevents conflicts and other bad problems in robohelp, and defenitely let you save a huge amount of time.

The locks acquired will normally be released at the next user commit.

The list of files we configured for locking:

ALL FOLDER: *.fpj

ROOT FOLDER: *.h *.css *.ssl *.hhk *.hhc *.glo *.hts *.htt *.htt *.apj robohhre.lng

FOLDER !language!: all files with recursion

FOLDER !skinsubfolder!: all files with recursion

Since folder and files are constantly being added to repository we have written a server script which periodically sets the 'needs-lock' property on all required files.

Optionally you can implemente locking also on binary files like images. We decided not implementing locks on topic files (html) and others. We prefer to face and resolve some minor conflict problem, and not add extra burden to our users. That is a trade-off.

Hope this help. However, this is just our experience, maybe you can find a solution more suitable to your needs.

Regards,

Nicola

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