Working in release branching mode
| Required Roles | n/a |
| Required Rights (by category) |
Releases |
| Perspective |
 Configuration Management |
| Access |
 DROPS Server →  Artifacts →  Applications → Application →  Releases |
Releases can be managed in two different ways: in flat mode and in branching mode. In branching mode, releases are cumulative patches based on common ancestors.
This chapter describes how to work with releases in branching mode.
When creating releases automatically during the import process, DROPS does not allow you to create sub-branches of releases. Only new major, level-one releases can be created automatically during the import process.
For more information about working in flat mode, refer to Releases.
Switching to release branching mode
The release branching mode activated inside the parent application.
For more information about switching to branch mode, refer to Edit applications: Release branching mode.
Searching for release branches
Follow the subsequent steps to search for branched releases that have already been created in an application.
Step 1 Expand the application.
Step 2 Double-click on the Releases node to open the Releases search view.
Step 3 Use the search criteria sections to filter the search.
- To search for an existing release by its Release Number or name, enter all or part of the information in the Identification section.
- To search for sub-level release branches, select a release from the in Parent Release section.
- To search for an existing release by when it was created or the last time it was modified, select a date range in the Creation Date section.
Enter any combination of the above search criteria, then click the Search button to display the results. To display the complete list, click the Search button without entering any search criteria.
To display all of the items by default each time the search view is opened, select the 
auto search icon.
Result The Releases search view displays all of the releases that have been created in the current application that meet the search criteria. The releases are nested based on the parent/child relationships established when creating the releases.
Creating branched releases
Branched releases are created manually from the Releases search view.
Branch releases cannot be created automatically during the import process. Only first-level, major releases can be created automatically.
Follow the subsequent steps to create a new branched release manually.
Step 1 To create a new first-level major release, ensure that no releases are selected in the 
Releases search view then either click the 
create icon or right-click anywhere in the view and select Create a new release.
To create a sub-level release, either select the upper-level parent release then click the create icon or right-click on the parent release and select Create a new release.
Step 2 Continue as directed inCreating releases.
Result The new branched release is available in the Releases search view and can be used to import artifacts.
Editing and viewing branched release details
Branched releases are edited the same way as flat releases.
For more information about editing releases, refer to Releases.
