Clarion 7.1 added the ability to automatically import and export .App and .Dct files to/from their text representations. This was primarily added for use with version control systems like Subversion, but developers may also find it useful for automated backup purposes.
With this system any time a dictionary or application is saved it is automatically exported to text. If you load a dictionary or application and the text file has a newer time-stamp then the binary file, then the text file will be loaded into the binary file. With this system you can then check in and check out the text representation of your files into your version control system, and the IDE will automate updating the binary files. Further, if you are using Subversion as your version control system you can see the history of your file via the History tab (shown in the image below) appears at the bottom of the DCT Explorer or Application View.
The History tab displays the version history pulled from your SVN repository.
ClarionCl.exe is also auto import/export enabled. So if you use another new feature of Clarion 7.1 (Enterprise Edition) to generate an application, the .App and .Dct files will be updated if the timestamp of the text file is newer then the binary file. This allows you to use automated build tools like CruiseControl.NET to build your Clarion applications.
To enable automated import/export of files go to Tools/Options/General/Binary File auto-export/import. You will then have a screen similar to the image below.
The import/export automation does its work on a background thread, so you should not see any impact on your normal work flow.
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