How can I get "True" RCS-style Keyword Substitution/Expansion for ClearCase?
I am often asked why ClearCase does not automatically perform “Keyword substitution or expansion”. That I can’t answer, but I can say that I was never a big proponent of inserting meta-data into source files, that already have the meta-data associated through ClearCase that is easily readable with cleartool commands like find, ls, desc and others; I have seen to many files in my time where the inserted meta-data gets significantly larger over time than the “meat” of the file (i.e. when meta-data like comments are prepended to source files). An exception to my dislike is when the keyword meta-data is used to identify “post release” items. RCS-type keyword substitution can be useful in determining the identity of an executable or the file used to build it after the product has left CM control and reached the field or user base. There are two required steps to get "keyword substitution" process that does not interfere with ClearCase diff/merge tools. ...(more)...

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