Introduction
IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next (hereinafter referred to as DNG), provides out-of-the-box comparison of properties, folders, artifacts and their attributes in different configurations.
The comparison is made for all of the data in a current configuration, doesn't matter in which module the user is located. For this reason, Softacus has developed a custom widget that the user can insert into their mini-dashboard and run the comparison only for a specific set of artifacts in a module.
Deployment of the Widget
The widget is deployed as any other IBM DNG widget. Detailed manual for the deployment is attached to the deployment files, or is also available on Softacus webpage:.Enable Widget Extensions in DNG | Softacus.
User Interface
Compare by - dropdown selection of type of comparison (compare changes in attributes or compare Version or Revision of Artifact)
● Compare with - dropdown selection of target configuration
● Compare button - main button that will start processing and display the changes
● Full compare button - button that will open an out-of-the-box DNG Comparison
● Expand/Collapse button - button that will expand or collapse the list of artifacts and changes
● List of artifact and changes - the list similar to list in Module Explorer Widget, but the list in CMC Widget is containing marks that shows what was done with corresponding artifact
○ Blue = the artifact was added to module
○ Yellow = artifact was edited in any way
○ Red (strikethrough) = artifact was deleted from module
Preconditions
Project or Component must contain more than one configuration, so the user can choose and run the widget properly.
Users must be working in a module context.
How to Use the Widget
In this sample scenario you will see how the extension is working and how you should use it:
Basic Comparison
1. Open the mini dashboard.
2. Click the "Add Widget" button.
3. Find Compare Modules Across Configurations in your widget catalog.
4. Add CMC to your mini dashboard.
5. Select the type of comparison in the "Compare by" field.
There are two options of comparison available in CMC widget:
1. Attributes - all artifact attributes (except Version and Revision attributes if they exist in Project / Component) and content will be compared with target configuration
2. Version and Revision - only Version and Revision attributes will be compared with target configuration (if existing) Version and Revision attributes are also used by our Artifact Version Number widget.
6. Select the configuration with which you want to compare the current one in the "Compare
with" field.
7. Click the "Compare" button.
8. Result of Comparison:
Full Compare
After clicking on "Full Compare" button, the widget will open side by side comparison of module, that is available out-of-the-box in DNG:
Expand/Collapse
Expand and Collapse button is allowing users to show or hide all of the artifacts that are not a part of comparison (not changed artifacts) except Heading artifacts:
Softacus Services
We, in Softacus, are experts when it comes to consulting and service delivery of IBM software products and solutions in your business. We help our clients to improve visibility and transparency when licensing and managing commercial software, providing measurable value while increasing efficiency and accountability and we are providing services in different areas (see Softacus Services).
IBM ELM extensions developed by Softacus are free of charge for the customers who ordered IBM ELM licenses via Softacus or for the customers who ordered any of our services. If you are interested in any of our IBM ELM extensions, you found a bug or you have any enhancement request, please let us know at info@softacus.com.
Related and Referenced Topics
Blog Articles:
Basics of Links and Link Types in IBM DOORS Next Generation - learn the basics about the linking and link types in IBM DOORS Next.
Linking Techniques in IBM DOORS Next - article explaining basic concepts and showing multiple ways of creation of links between artifacts.
Link By Attribute Feature in IBM DOORS Next - the article explains how to use the "Link by attribute" function to automatically create, update, or delete one or more links between artifacts based on values in the attributes of the artifact.
Softacus Widgets:
Link Switcher - widget developed by Softacus, that converts the context of artifacts links in a very short time.
Module Link Statistics - extension that provides users with a quick overview of the amount of the links in specific link types in a module.
Link Type Change- extension developed by Softacus designed to enhance the functionality of DOORS Next Generation by allowing users to manipulate the direction of a link or convert it to another type of link.
Links Builder- extension that allows the users to create a link between two artifacts in DOORS Next Generation according to the certain rules.
Link by Foreign Attribute - this extension allows users to create links between artifacts in the selected module(s), based on the attributes values.
Show Attributes of Linked Artifacts - this extension shows the attributes and links of the artifact that is currently selected.
