A programmable system for software configuration management

This paper describes the design and implementation of a flexible, programmable set of software tools which provide capabilities for the automatic storage and retrieval of information concerning the components of a software product, with facilities to use this information to control all processing in a software development and maintenance environment. The system implements a hierarchically structured, relational database in which the user may specify both the logical organization and the types of data to be stored. It also provides a structured, high Ievel user language. The system may be used in batch or interactive modes. It has been implemented on a 16-bit minicomputer where it is in use to support development and configuration management activities, and is being transported to larger mainframe equipment.