Review a list of frequently used ClearCase commands.
ClearCase Commands Cheat Sheet
The following table lists ClearCase commands (cleartool or ct) and their closest Perforce Helix Core (p4) equivalents. Before you start with ClearCase commands, review ClearCase basics.
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Helix Core has everything you love about ClearCase plus the modern features your team needs to be successful in the future.
ClearCase Commands vs. Perforce Commands
| Task in ClearCase | ClearCase Commands | Helix Core P4 Commands | Notes |
| Displays the config spec of a view. | ct catcs | ||
| Creates a permanent new version of an element. | ct checkin | p4 submit | Helix Core submits a set of files as a changelist, not individual files like ClearCase. A changelist can contain a single file. |
| Creates a modifiable copy of a version. | ct checkout | p4 edit | Helix Core does the ClearCase equivalent of an unreserved checkout by default. |
| Delivers changes in a source stream to the target stream within or across projects. | ct deliver | p4 integrate | In Helix Core, p4 integrate is the equivalent for ct merge, ct deliver, and ct rebase. |
| Compares versions of a text-file element or a directory. | ct diff | p4 diff p4 diff2 | p4 diff compares a workspace file to a revision in the depot. p4 diff2 compares two depot revisions. |
| Edits the config spec of a view. | ct edcs | p4 client or p4 stream | |
| Searches for versions that require a merge. | ct findmerge | p4 integrate -n | |
| Displays help on command usage. | ct help | p4 help | |
| Lists VOB-resident objects, elements loaded into a snapshot view, and view-private objects in a directory. | ct ls | p4 files p4 have | p4 files displays information about files in the depot without accessing their contents. Use p4 have to list files/revisions that have been synced to the client workspace. |
| Lists information about UCM activities. | ct lsactivity | p4 jobs | p4 jobs displays a list of jobs, which can also be in a defect tracking system. This command can be used to generate release notes. |
| Lists event records for VOB database objects. | ct lshistory | p4 filelog | p4 filelog shows an individual file’s history. |
| Lists version tree of an element. | ct lsvtree | Available in P4V | To see the history of a file in Helix Visual Client (P4V), right-click on the file and select Revision Graph (ctrl+shift+R). This is similar to a version tree in ClearCase. |
| Displays an online reference page. | ct man | p4 help | |
| Merges versions of a text-file element or a directory. | ct merge | p4 integrate | In Helix Core, p4 integrate is the equivalent for ct merge, as well as ct deliver, and ct rebase. |
| Creates an activity. | ct mkactivity | p4 job | |
| Creates a directory element. | ct mkdir | mkdir | Perforce does not version directories. But you can just create one locally on your filesystem. |
| Creates a file or directory element. | ct mkelem | p4 add | |
| Creates and registers a view. | ct mkview | p4 client | |
| Moves or renames an element or VOB link. | ct move | p4 integrate clones a file to a new name/location. Then use p4 delete to remove the source file. | |
| Changes the configuration of a stream. | ct rebase | p4 integrate | p4 integrate is the equivalent for ct merge, ct deliver, and ct rebase. |
| Deletes an activity. | ct rmactivity | p4 change -d | |
| Removes the name of an element or VOB symbolic link from a directory version. | ct rmname | p4 delete | |
| Removes an element or symbolic link from a VOB. | ct rmelem | p4 obliterate | |
| Removes a view or removes view-related records from a VOB. | ct rmview | p4 client -d | |
| Cancels a checkout of an element. | ct uncheckout | p4 revert | |
| Updates elements in a snapshot view, web view or automatic view. | ct update | p4 sync |
Need to Replace ClearCase?
Migrating your version control system is daunting, but for many teams, it's necessary — and possible. Learn how electronic design automation company Cadence Design Systems successfully switched from ClearCase to Perforce Helix Core.
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Modernize ClearCase Commands and Monolith
ClearCase used to be on the cutting edge of technology. But today, many teams are making a switch. Because over the years — and ownership changes — ClearCase has not delivered the innovation and improvements that modern development requires. With ClearCase, you end up paying (a lot) for a version control system that is already outdated.
For big teams, working on even bigger projects, Helix Core is the solution to modernize your monolith.
Why Helix Core Beats ClearCase
So why are teams leaving ClearCase for Helix Core?
ClearCase:
- Lacks a modern architecture.
- Doesn’t scale.
- Is expensive to maintain.
- Offers replication as an add-on — but it’s expensive and time-consuming.
Helix Core:
- Provides a modern architecture.
- Scales without limits.
- Is less costly to maintain.
- Has built-in replication.
ClearCase cannot handle the complexity and demands modern development teams face today. But Helix Core can. Get started with Helix Core — enterprise version control that unites and accelerates teams.