PRB: Visual SourceSafe Journal File Not Updated

• Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, 16-bit and 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Under certain circumstances, the Visual SourceSafe Journal File may not be updated properly. This will occur if multiple users attempt an action simultaneously that would modify the Journal File, such as Checking in, Updating, or Checking out a file.

RESOLUTION

If you are presented with a dialog box that indicates the Journal File is locked, you can ensure that a Journal Entry is made by repeating the current action until the dialog no longer appears. For example, if you are Checking in a file and you get the aforementioned dialog box, check the file back out and check it in again.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

When multiple users attempt to write to the Journal File at the same time, one user will be given a lock on the file. The others will be presented with a dialog box indicating that the Journal File is in use. This dialog box contains OK and Help Command buttons. Choosing OK will cause the requested action to take place without updating the Journal File. This causes entries to be missing from the Journal File.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open or switch to the Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Admin Utility.

2. Using the Admin Utility, configure Visual SourceSafe to maintain a Journal File.

3. Close the Admin Utility.

4. Open or switch to Microsoft Visual SourceSafe.

5. From two or more workstations, have two or more users attempt to Check in, Update, or Check out a file simultaneously (this does not have to be the same action or the same file).

6. One user should get a lock on the Journal File while the others are presented with a dialog box indicating that the Journal File is locked. The users presented with the latter dialog box should choose the OK command button.

7. Open the Journal File. Note that the file will contain an entry describing the action done by the user who was able to lock the Journal File. Check the history of the files accessed by the other users. Note that the history shows the requested action of the other users. The Journal File will not contain a reference to this action.