When more than one programmer is working on a project, you will want to prevent two users from modifying a library entry (object, function, or structure) at the same time.  To control access to library entries, use check in and check out. 

When you check out an object, PowerBuilder makes a copy of the object, stores it in a specified library (for example, a test or development library), and sets the status of the object to checked out.  As long as the status of an entry is checked out, you can change only to the working copy.  If you or another user tries to open the original copy, PowerBuilder displays a message warning that the object is checked out so you can open it but you cannot save it.  You can then continue or cancel the open.

TIP:   To list the objects that are checked out in the current library, use View Entries Check Out Status on the Options Menu

For example, if user RAG checks out the window w_emp from the production library and you try to open the production library copy of w_emp in the Window Painter, PowerBuilder will display a warning message.  If you open it anyway, PowerBuilder will not allow you to save it.

Note:Only the user who checked out an object can check the object in or clear the checked out status from the object. 

When you finish working with an entry that you checked out, you can use:

Check in Entries on the Options Menu to replace the object in the original library with the working copy of the object, clear the check out status from the entry, and delete the working copy from the library in which it is saved. 

Clear Entries Check Out Status on the Options Menu to remove the checked out status from the object and delete the working copy from the library in which it is saved.

TIP:   To view the check out status of objects in the current library, select View Entries Check Out Status on the Options Menu.