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Another TFS Spec Published

Last week, we published another new spec on "Properties" for TFS.  This spec describes a new feature that allows you to associate properties with different artifacts in TFS.  The include Files/folders, shelvesets, labels, branches, Workspaces, pending changes, etc.  Ultimately, we hope to expand this to all artifacts in TFS.  This spec is still in draft form - in fact we just reviewed it internally on Friday and there was a lot of feedback to simplify some aspects of it.  We're very interested in your input as well.

To get you thinking about what this might be used for, here are some example scenarios...

  • You might use the properties to store additional attributes of files.  For example, if you were using TFS on Unix, you might attach a property containing the file's Unix files attributes when you pend the changes so that you can restore them when you get the file.
  • I'm hoping to use attributes on shelvesets as the basis for a future Power Tool that enables a nice code review experience.  Of course, you could beat us to it :)
  • Properties on labels could be used to describe their purpose and allow filtering of them in UI to eliminate clutter.
  • And more...

I suspect you'll be able to think of even more creative ways than I can of using properties.  Let us know what you think.  Remember the spec feedback forum is here.

Brian

Published Monday, May 12, 2008 8:28 AM by bharry

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# Properties, coming to TFS soon!

One of the things I miss when using TFS instead of Subversion is svn's metadata ("properties") that you

Monday, May 12, 2008 9:40 AM by James Manning's blog

# re: Another TFS Spec Published

Have you tried TeamReview? In your blog post you mentioned properties on a shelveset to enable a nice code review experience. Would TeamReview be compatible with your idea, even possible to integrate with your shelvset review idea?

Thanks,

JB

Monday, May 12, 2008 12:31 PM by JB Brown

# re: Another TFS Spec Published

OK, I wasn't going to get picky, but when I saw your TFS on UNIX reference, I had to speak up...

"If you were using TFS on Unix..." you couldn't read the spec because it's in XPS format and the there aren't easily available readers for that document format.

More accessible format please.

Ta.

Steve Porter

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 10:03 AM by Steve Porter

# re: Another TFS Spec Published

Ouch.  We've gotten the feedback.  I've passed it on.  I'll do so again.  It's not something I have control over :(

Well, I suspect if I raised a big enough stink, I might be able to make it change.  I'll see if I can find some time to joust that windmill :)

Brian

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:04 AM by bharry

# re: Another TFS Spec Published

Thanks for the quick response (and the link to the spec).

I guess I'd rather have the devs at Microsoft working hard on making TFS even better instead of writing an XPS reader, so I shouldn't complain :).

Ta.

Steve Porter

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 4:57 PM by Steve Porter

# 公開されたもう 1 つの TFS 仕様

先週、TFS の "プロパティ" に関するもう 1 つの新しい仕様を公開しました。この 仕様 (英語) は、プロパティを TFS の異なる成果物に関連付けるための新機能について規定したものです。成果物には、ファイル/フォルダ、シェルブセット、ラベル、ブランチ、ワークスペース、保留中の変更などが含まれます。最終的には、これを

Friday, June 27, 2008 2:35 AM by bharry's WebLog

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