Productivity tip #1: Removing read only attribute from files (files binded to visual source safe)
When I work on a project that is bounded to Visual Source Safe, I sometimes
want to edit a file locally, i.e. without checking out the change. The visual
studio source safe addin monitors which files I can work on according to their
attributes. If a file has the read only attribute, it cannot be worked on
without checking out the file, or removing the attribute.
This can be done manually from outside of the Visual Studio.NET or from
within, but this takes a few extra clicks.
This can be automated as a menu command or toolbar button by following these
steps:
(To create menu command)
1. Click on: Tools -> External Tools...
2. Click on Add button
3. In the Title textbox enter: Remove Read Only
4. In the Command textbox enter: attrib.exe
5. In the Title textbox enter: -R
$(ItemPath)""
No, "" is not a mistake, it seems like a bug in the IDE.
6. Check Close on Exit checkbox , and uncheck Use
Output Window and Prompt for arguments.
7. Click the OK button
Now you can open a file and Click Tools -> Remove Read Only, and you can
start using the file!
(To add command to toolbar:)
8. Click Tools -> Customize
9. Click New button
10. Name new toolbar. (for this example we will call it Custom Utilities)
11. Leaving the customize window open, Click Tools ->Remove Read Only, and
drag it to the Custom Utilities Toolbar.
12. Add Custom Utilities to the other toolbars.
You can also add icons and choose other options by right-clicking the
button while customize window is open.
13. Close customize window.
And that's it.
For those of you who might ask, I added the "" in instruction #5, because
otherwise for some reason the IDE only added an opening " before the filename.
(the final command can be seen by checking the Prompt for arguments button in
the External Tools menu.)