Examples that show how you might use Requirements Interchange Format to share data with another database. The first example shows how to use the Requirements Interchange Format to send out data, the second example shows what to do if you receive a Requirements Interchange Format package.
Before you begin
When you export a package, all the views that you can access in the modules in the Requirements Interchange Format definition are included in the package.
To make sure that the data that is include in the package is manageable, set up a special Requirements Interchange Format account that only has access to the views that you want to include in the package.
Sending a RIF or ReqIF file
- Create a Requirements Interchange Format definition (RIF definition) or (ReqIF definition), which defines the data to include in the package, and the access rights when it is imported. See Creating RIF and ReqIF definitions.
- Export the definition, which creates an xml file called a Requirements Interchange Format package (RIF package) or (ReqIF package), and copies the data to the file. See Exporting RIF and ReqIF packages.
If you have given edit access to any of the data in the package, Rational® DOORS® locks the copy in your database, making it read-only. Data in the Requirements Interchange Format file is either read-only in your database or read-only in the package. See RIF and ReqIF locks on local data.
- You send the package, in the same way as you would any other file.
- The person who receives your package imports it into their database. They work on the data within the constraints of the access rights that you have given.
- When users in the remote database are finished updating the data, they return the package to you and you import it into your database. See Importing RIF and ReqIF packages. Rational DOORS recognizes the data in the package and associates it with the original definition. The data is imported into a new folder in the project.
Note: Your data is not updated until you merge the imported package.
- You merge the returned data with the original data. See Merging RIF and ReqIF packages. If the third-party has finished the updates and has returned the locks to you, the locks are removed. If the file was an update, and the third-party plans to send you more edits, they might keep the locks.
Receiving a Requirements Interchange Format file
- You receive the package in an xml file, which you need to import. See Importing RIF and ReqIF packages.
When you import the package, you must create a definition, which you use when you return the data.
The data is imported into a folder in your project. The first time you import the data, a folder is created for you. On subsequent imports, you must create a folder for the data. It is probable that some of the data in the modules will be editable, and some will be read-only.
- Update the data as required.
- When you have finished updating the data, you export the definition. See Exporting RIF and ReqIF packages.
You can return the edit locks, so that you cannot make any further updates to the data. The data is exported to an xml file, which you can return to the original Rational DOORS database.