Microsoft Visual Sourcesafe 6.0 CD

If you're creating non-web applications with a programming tool that supports SourceSafe integration, then you probably won't mind SourceSafe. You will have to work around a few frustrations: the lack of drag-and-drop, the amazingly dated look to the client app, and the fact that a lot of discipline is required to use it properly and safely. If you don't train a developer new to SourceSafe, you can count somebody writing code referencing a wrong relative path, and having to merge lots of changes people made because they didn't check files out properly.

However, if you're trying to develop a web application with others in an integrated programming tool, then there will be times you want to tear your hair out until you sit down and really learn how the thing works (without any aid from the skimpy online help), because the interaction between the web files, the local files (if an ASP app), and the SourceSafe files is poorly documented and very finicky. Hint: whatever you do, don't remove the SourceSafe binding inside Visual Studio .NET and attempt to put it back again later -- instead delete all the local files and do "Open from Source Control" inside Visual Studio.

I should also mention that it networks very poorly. This is because there is no server component; clients just grab files via ordinary network shares. If you are trying to use SourceSafe from a remote site, then you will need patience, because doing a large operation such as a recursive "get latest" takes a long time even if you are telecommuting from the same city over a high-speed internet connection. Please note though that another company makes an inexpensive product called SourceOffSite that works with SourceSafe to overcome the networking deficiencies.

In general, SourceSafe is a whole lot better than collaborating without help, and it is priced relatively reasonably, which is why it's still around. It's just long in the tooth, and is missing obvious features such as viewing all the check-in comments for a file at the same time. It really should come with printed manuals for end users detailing best practices to use and pitfalls to avoid. Instead, the online help makes it seem as if a child could use the product and everything is always sunny when using it. I know there are competing products, but I've never had the opportunity to try them, because for better or worse the market has chosen Visual SourceSafe as the standard.


Great if you are starting from ground zero   April 26, 2001
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I have used Source Safe on two occassions. The first was a consulting project where we created all the web pages from day one. In this situation, Source Safe is great. You have fewer worries. The second instance is now, where I am currently migrating legacy code into source safe, and it is a little more difficult to deal with. There are not enough resources on how to use this product. The basics of using the product are fairly intuitive and pretty well documented on MSDN online or CD. Unfortunately, the intermediate to advanced (i.e. tips, tricks, etc.)information is a little more difficult to come across. The only thing I have been able to find on Source Safe training is a three video series (about $250 for the set), which I am still trying to find more information about before I purchase it, and even it that was not all that easy to find. I cannot believe that someone has not written about this application. Overall, I think Source Safe is a great tool, especially if you are starting from scratch. However, just keep in mind that you must plan well if you are implementing it into an environment that already exists.


To be used by anyone!   October 24, 2000
 10 out of 14 found this review helpful

This is an execellent product. It helps a lot to keep the SW-development clean. Different versions of the code can easily be managed. Older versions can be recalled, compared (side-by-side) and even the restore works pretty well. If multiple programmers work in the same project, SS locks files against multiple-edit.

SS can even been used for Word Documents (documentation of the code), but SS does not support the compare function then. You must use the compare function of MS Word in that case.

Bugs of the Version 5 have mostly been removed.