comb command

The comb(CP) command lets the user try to reduce the size of an SCCS file. It generates a shell procedure (see sh(C)). on the standard output, which reconstructs the file by discarding unwanted deltas and combining other specified deltas. (It is not recommended that comb be used as a matter of routine.)

In the absence of any key letters, comb preserves only leaf deltas and the minimum number of ancestor deltas necessary to preserve the shape of an SCCS tree. The effect of this is to eliminate middle deltas on the trunk and on all branches of the tree. Thus, in Figure 11-3, ``Extended branching concept'' deltas 1.2, 1.3.2.1, 1.4, and 2.1 would be eliminated.

Some of the key letters options used with this command are as follows:

comb -s

generates a shell procedure that produces a report of the percentage space (if any) the user will save. This is often useful as an advance step.

comb -p

specifies the oldest delta the user wants preserved.

comb -c

specifies a list of deltas the user wants preserved. All other deltas are discarded. (See get(CP) for its syntax.)