Preface

Rational Apex^®, hereafter referred to as Apex, is a comprehensive, integrated programming environment that supports the development of complex software systems. This manual presents the concepts needed to use all of the Apex functionality to its fullest extent:

• Software system architecture
• Rational subsystems (high-level software partitions and their interfaces)
• Apex views (Apex/Summit only)
• ClearCase VOBs and ClearCase views (Apex/ClearCase only)
• Summit/CM, Rational's configuration management and version control mechanism (Apex/Summit only)
• Apex editing, compiling, and debugging
• Software development, integration, and release processes

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Audience

This manual is intended for:

• Software system architects
• Anyone who makes design, architecture, configuration management, and testing decisions
• Software engineers and programmers
• Configuration management staff

This manual assumes you are familiar with a high-level language and the life-cycle of a software development project.

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Other Resources

• Extensive Online Help is available for Apex:
  • You can get to all help topics directly from the online index which is displayed by clicking the Help > Index command.
  • You can get online help for each of the menu items in its user interface by clicking Help > On Context and then selecting the menu item.
  • Learn more about using the online help by clicking Help > On Help.
  • Display the product version information by clicking Help > On Version.
• All the Apex manuals are provided online in HTML. Access them by clicking on the Help > Manuals command and then clicking on the desired manual.
• An online tutorial is available by clicking Help > Tutorial.
• You can print the postscript version of any manual by clicking Help > Print Manuals and then clicking on the desired manual.
• For more information on training opportunities, see the Rational University Web site at http://www.rational.com/university.

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Contacting Rational Technical Publications

To send feedback about documentation for Rational products, please send e-mail to our technical publications department at techpubs@rational.com.

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Contacting Rational Technical Support

If you have questions about installing, using, or maintaining this product, contact Rational Technical Support as follows:

Your Location	Telephone	Facsimile	E-mail
North America	(800) 433-5444 (toll free) 408) 863-4000 Cupertino, CA	((781) 676-2460 Lexington, MA	support@rational.com
Europe, Middle East, Africa	+31 (0) 20-4546-202 Netherlands	+31 (0) 20-4545-201 Netherlands	support@europe.rational.com
Asia Pacific	+61-2-9419-0111 Australia	+61-2-9419-0123 Australia	support@apac.rational.com

Note: When you contact Rational Technical Support, please be prepared to supply the following information:

• Your name, telephone number, and company name
• Your computer's make and model
• Your operating system and version number
• Product release number and serial number
• Your case ID number (if you are following up on a previously-reported problem)