Configuration Management

Question 1

What is Configuration Management?

What are configuration items?

Answer 1

Keeping track of versions, and changes, ability to reproduce old versions, and releasing new versions. All including their configuration items.
Configuration items:
- requirements documents.
- design documents.
- source code.
- documentation.
- configuration files.
- tools.
- libraries.

Question 2

What are the four pillars of Configuration Management, and their main purpose?

Answer 2

Version Management.
- manage history of configuration items.
- create/merge branches. (Git)
Build Management.
- automatic creation of executables.
- automated build system (makefile/maven/gradle).
- reproducability of older versions
- incrementing build number.
Change Management.
- track changes to the software (bug/issue tracking; tickets; e.g. via Trac).
- bug report stages: create, assess, resolve, accept.
Release Management.
- manage content, schedule, deployment of a release.
- determine functionality.
- determine date of release.
- approve release.
- create release notes.
- deliver software to customers.