FAQ: Visual SourceSafe Integration with Visual Basic 6.0

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1. Q. Where is the main copy of the Visual Basic project stored?
   
   A. The main copy of the project is located in the Visual SourceSafe database. After modifying their local copies, all users should check the files into Visual SourceSafe. This will cause the latest version of the user's work to be stored in Visual SourceSafe. Every time you open the Visual Basic project, Visual Basic will use the information in the local Mssccprj.scc file to retrieve the latest version of the files from Visual SourceSafe and replace the local copies of the user's Visual Basic files.
2. Q. If the Allow Multiple Checkouts option is enabled, what type of files can I allow multiple users to check out simultaneously?
   
   A. Binary files cannot be checked out by multiple users simultaneously. Forms, User Controls, and Property pages are added to Visual SourceSafe as binary files. However, Project files, Modules, Class Modules, and User Connections can be checked out by multiple users at the same time.
3. Q. How do I know that a file has been Checked Out by some other user?
   
   A. From Visual Basic, select the file in the project window for which you want to know the status, then click on Tools->SourceSafe->SourceSafe Properties->Check Out Status tab. You will get the following information: Which users have the file checked out, Check Out Date and time, Computer name that the file was Checked Out to and the Visual SourceSafe project that contains this file.
4. Q. If two users check out a project file, how does Visual SourceSafe avoid overwriting changes made by one user when the other user checks in their copy of the file?
   
   A. Let us assume that UserA and UserB checked out the same project file, Proj1.vbp. UserA changes the file and checks it in. This will update the file stored in the Visual SourceSafe database. UserB changes their local copy of the file and checks it in. Before updating the server copy, Visual SourceSafe will compare the files in UserB's working folder and the file stored in the Visual SourceSafe database. If UserA and UserB have made different changes to the same parts of the vbp file, Visual SourceSafe will display the Visual Merge window and give UserB the opportunity to specify which changes he or she wants to keep.
5. Q. If new users want to modify the project, what are the steps they need to follow?
   
   A. Follow the steps given in the "Creating local copy of the Project from SourceSafe" section. This will create a local copy of the project from Visual SourceSafe database.
6. Q. While trying to modify a user control after doing a checkout, it gives an error "Can't edit module." How can I fix this error?
   
   A. You will get this error if do not have the form that contains the user control checked out. You can avoid this error by checking out the form prior to editing the user control.
7. Q. Is it necessary to check out the project file when I only want to edit one of the forms contained in the project file?
   A. If you have a ActiveX control embedded in your form, you have to check out the project file also.
8. Q. I've checked out and modified my files. At what point do the copies stored in the Visual SourceSafe database get updated?
   
   A. The copies of the files stored in the Visual SourceSafe database only get updated when you check your files back in. This causes the changes you've made to your local copy of the file transferred to the file stored in Visual SourceSafe.
9. Q. When I open a project in Visual Basic that is under Source Code control, does Visual SourceSafe get the latest version of the project?
   
   A. In order to get the latest version of your project from Visual SourceSafe, you need to set the Tools->SourceSafe->Options->'Get the latest checked-in version while opening the Visual Basic project' option to Yes.