Working with object and link history
Overview
Would you like to understand what the structure of the objects and links in your application looked like in a previous analysis? Look no further than the CAST Imaging “History” feature:
How can I access this feature?
The History feature is available in the header panel with specific object information displayed in the Characteristics section of the right-panel:
Are there any requirements?
- the application needs to have been imported into CAST Imaging ≥ 3.3 whether via result import or via an analysis.
- the application needs to have been imported twice or more into CAST Imaging whether via result import or via an analysis so that “history” can be generated for objects and links (this is actioned automatically). If there is only one “import” then no history will be available:
- the feature only functions when working at Object level.
How does it work?
By default, CAST Imaging always displays the most recent information about the objects and links in the view. If History is available, it is then possible to “travel back in time” to a previous date (i.e. the date of a previous analysis/import) and CAST Imaging will display the state of the objects and links in the view at that time. Use the date selector to do so: in this example there are three “versions” of the application - on selecting a date, the screen will update to show the situation at that time:
In addition, selecting an object or a link in the view will show the history of that item over time in the Characteristics section of the right-panel:
What status can objects and links have?
Statuses of objects and links are based on a checksum generated during the original analysis of the source code:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Added | New since the previous analysis (this is also the status in the very first analysis of an application where multiple analyses exist). |
| Deleted | Existed in a previous analysis, but has been deleted in the current displayed analysis. This status will only be displayed when you have selected a previous date with the date selector (an item cannot have the “deleted” status in the most recent analysis). |
| Modified | Modified in the current displayed analysis and was also part of the previous analysis. |
| Unchanged | Has not changed since the previous analysis. |
How do I return to the current status?
If you have selected previous version data via the date selector, use the Reset button to return to the most recent state:
