When developers build software, they're able to keep track of all the different versions and all the components they use with software configuration management (SCM) systems. One of the more popular SCM products is Perforce.

Authored by Perforce's own VP of product technology, Practical Perforce is the ideal complement to the existing product manual, focusing less on the 'how" and more on the "why" and "when." The book is not only a helpful introduction to Perforce, it's an enlightening resource for those already familiar with this versatile SCM product. Whether you're a programmer, product manager, or build engineer, you stand to benefit from the many insider tips and ideas presented in this convenient guide.

Practical Perforce is divided into two main parts. Part I offers a whirlwind technical tour, complete with careful descriptions of basic and advanced Perforce commands designed to give you a baseline knowledge. Part II describes the big picture-using Perforce in a collaborative software development. It outlines recommended best practices and quickly shows how to implement them with the Perforce operations introduced in Part I. Throughout the book, you'll learn how to maximize Perforce so it completes tasks like these in the most efficient manner possible:

• Keep track of changes as you conduct concurrent parallel work on files

• Log activity

• Generate reports on who did what when

• Compare, merge and branch files

• Store files and file configurations

• Restore lost bug fixes

Recognizing the pitfalls and practices of an SCM system like Perforce is absolutely essential to producing good software. Now, with Practical Perforce, you have the edge you need to ensure success.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 19 Ratings

Excellent Basic Perforce Text - 2008-11-18
Reviewer Rating:
Practical Perforce is an excellent introductory to intermediate text for those who might use the Perforce application. It progresses from the very basic introduction all the way to Web Content with numerous steps in between. Texts of this type and for this program are difficult to come by and this book is excellent in that it covers the entire spectrum of Perforce. I use Perforce daily in the course of my work and I found this book an excellent reference to keep me sharp. I highly recommend this text to anyone that uses Perforce.

What every Perforce admin should know - 2008-07-02
Reviewer Rating:
Or anyone else who has any input into their company's software control decisions. (Or pretty much anyone using Perforce, or thinking about using Perforce, etc.)

Unlike some I've found the standard documentation (and online knowledge base) easy to work with and understand, but like most I've longed for more examples and theory. This book provides those and more. If you're an admin, buy an extra copy because your serious users will want to borrow it (my copy is "out there" somewhere even as I type).

A great resource for learning Perforce - 2007-12-12
Reviewer Rating:
I found this book a better resource for learning Perforce over the online documentation. It offers a good variety of source management situations and how to use Perforce in them.

Excellent for explaining concepts as well as reference - 2007-10-29
Reviewer Rating:
This book was better than I expected, because it not only explains how to use Perforce, but it covers handling branches in general using the "Tofu model" of softer to firmer codelines. This makes the book worthwhile even if you're not using a different CMS system, just as a way to think about using code branches to manage product releases, new feature development, and bug fixes all at the same time.

One area that was a bit weak is that the majority of the book is geared towards development of shrinkwrap-style software with discrete release points, and only a final short chapter is dedicated to the continuous release style used by web-based products, seeming like an afterthought.

But overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone using Perforce in software development of any kind.

The How of Perforce and the why of SCM - 2007-10-21
Reviewer Rating:
As the title suggests, this is a how-to guide for doing Software Configuration Management with Perforce, but there's more. In addition to describing how the various commands work, this book helps you understand how to structure your version control system to help your team be more effective. For example, this book describes not only how to create branches, but why, and what policy to have on the branch. The Channeling the Flow of Change chapter is a great introduction to change management concepts in general, and the "Tofu Scale" is a great metaphor for structuring codelines. In addition, the clear writing style makes somewhat tricky concepts very accessible.

Buy this book if you are using Perforce as your SCM solution, or even if you are evaluating multiple solutions, and Perforce is a candidate, as this book will help you understand how to structure your environment for effective development, regardless of your tool. This is an excellent companion to Software Configuration Management Patterns: Effective Teamwork, Practical Integration for Perforce users.

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