Surround SCM is a

software configuration management In software engineering, software configuration management (SCM or S/W CM) is the task of tracking and controlling changes in the software, part of the larger cross-disciplinary field of configuration management. SCM practices include revision ...

application developed by

Seapine Software Seapine Software was a privately held Mason, Ohio-based software and services company. The company developed a suite of software products that managed the full software development lifecycle. Seapine's tools included testing tools, configuration m ...

, now owned by

Perforce Perforce, legally Perforce Software, Inc., is an American developer of software used for developing and running applications, including version control software, web-based repository management, developer collaboration, application lifecycle mana ...

since 2017. Perforce integrated the software with its

Helix ALM Helix ALM, formerly called TestTrack, is application lifecycle management (ALM) software developed by Perforce. The software allows developers to manage requirements, defects, issues and testing during software development. History Helix ALM's ...

product.

Architecture

Surround SCM has a client–server architecture. The server manages a central

database In computing, a database is an organized collection of data stored and accessed electronically. Small databases can be stored on a file system, while large databases are hosted on computer clusters or cloud storage. The design of databases sp ...

file File or filing may refer to: Mechanical tools and processes * File (tool), a tool used to ''remove'' fine amounts of material from a workpiece **Filing (metalworking), a material removal process in manufacturing ** Nail file, a tool used to gent ...

versions and branches. Users work on files on their local hard drive and submit changed files together in changelists. The client and

server Server may refer to: Computing *Server (computing), a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called clients Role * Waiting staff, those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers and su ...

communicate via a

TCP/IP The Internet protocol suite, commonly known as TCP/IP, is a framework for organizing the set of communication protocols used in the Internet and similar computer networks according to functional criteria. The foundational protocols in the suit ...

connection using 512-bit encryption.

Server

Surround SCM stores data in an industry-standard relational database management system. The database contains both the file contents and

metadata Metadata is "data that provides information about other data", but not the content of the data, such as the text of a message or the image itself. There are many distinct types of metadata, including: * Descriptive metadata – the descriptive ...

(file state, file attributes, branching and merging history, changelists, filters, users, groups, labels, etc.). A proxy server can optionally be installed to improve performance of file retrievals for distributed teams.

Clients

There are several different categories of Surround SCM clients:

GUI The GUI ( "UI" by itself is still usually pronounced . or ), graphical user interface, is a form of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and audio indicator such as primary notation, inste ...

CLI CLI may refer to: Computing * Call Level Interface, an SQL database management API * Command-line interface, of a computer program * Command-line interpreter or command language interpreter; see List of command-line interpreters * CLI (x86 instruc ...

API An application programming interface (API) is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software Interface (computing), interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A document or standa ...

, Web UI, and plugin. The

cross-platform In computing, cross-platform software (also called multi-platform software, platform-agnostic software, or platform-independent software) is computer software that is designed to work in several computing platforms. Some cross-platform software r ...

GUI client is developed with Qt and available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It fully supports all end-user operations and administration operations. The command line interface (CLI) is also available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The CLI can be used in any command shell or

script Script may refer to: Writing systems * Script, a distinctive writing system, based on a repertoire of specific elements or symbols, or that repertoire * Script (styles of handwriting) ** Script typeface, a typeface with characteristics of handw ...

. Build scripts generally access Surround SCM files via the CLI. Surround SCM’s open API allows users to write applications that access branches, repositories, and files on the Surround SCM Server using the C, Java, and .Net programming languages. The plugin interfaces integrate Surround SCM client functionality into third-party applications. Surround SCM plugins are available for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, KDevelop, Visual Studio, NetBeans, JDeveloper, PowerBuilder, WebStorm, Windows Explorer, Mac OS X Finder, Linux file system, Bugzilla, JIRA, Microsoft TFS,

TestTrack Helix ALM, formerly called TestTrack, is application lifecycle management (ALM) software developed by Perforce. The software allows developers to manage requirements, defects, issues and testing during software development. History Helix ALM's ...

, Ant, NAnt, Hudson, Jenkins, TeamCity, CruiseControl, CruiseControl.NET, Dreamweaver, FinalBuilder, Microsoft Office, and QA Wizard.

Release History

Major release versions of Surround SCM, along with their release dates: * version 1.0 (September 3, 2002) * version 1.1 (October 1, 2002) * version 1.2 (January 29, 2003) * version 1.5 (April 21, 2003) * version 2.0 (August 26, 2003) * version 2.1 (December 15, 2003) * version 3.0 (August 2, 2004) * version 3.1 (February 7, 2005) * version 4.0 (July 19, 2005) * version 4.1 (January 30, 2006) * version 5.0 (November 2, 2006) * version 2008.0 (October 9, 2007) * version 2008.1 (April 21, 2008) * version 2009.0 (February 5, 2009) * version 2009.1 (June 30, 2009) * version 2010.0 (November 16, 2009) * version 2010.1 (May 3, 2010) * version 2011.0 (October 21, 2010) * version 2011.1 (June 1, 2011) * version 2012.0 (February 9, 2012) * version 2012.1 (March 9, 2012) * version 2013.0 (October 22, 2012) * version 2013.1 (March 20, 2013) * version 2013.2 (September 12, 2013) * version 2014.0 (March 14, 2014) * version 2014.1 (September 5, 2014) * version 2015.0 (December 17, 2014) * version 2015.1 (September 8, 2015) * version 2016.0 (April 11, 2016) * version 2016.1 (October 6, 2016) * version 2017.1 (April 24, 2017) * version 2017.2 (September 18, 2017) * version 2018.1 (March 5, 2018) * version 2018.2 (August 30, 2018) * version 2019.1 (February 11, 2019) * version 2019.2 (October 15, 2019) * version 2020.1 (May 26, 2020) * version 2021.1 (July 28, 2021)

Features

Surround SCM features include: * Branching and merging * File and change set labeling * Graphical file history * Changelist and atomic transactions * Filters * Search file contents * Shelves * Configurable workflow * Email notifications * Custom fields * Code review capabilities * Role-based security groups * Single sign-on * Data stored in an RDBMS * External reports * Cross-platform GUI and CLI * Electronic signatures * Automatic client upgrades * Proxy server * Shadow folders

Awards

In 2008 Surround SCM won a

Jolt Award ''Dr. Dobb's Journal'' (''DDJ'') was a monthly magazine published in the United States by UBM Technology Group, part of UBM. It covered topics aimed at computer programmers. When launched in 1976, DDJ was the first regular periodical focused on ...

in the Change and Configuration Management category.

References

External links

Perforce Surround SCM website
{{Revision control software Proprietary version control systems File comparison tools Configuration management