Frequently Asked Questions

Does every developer need to install Review Assistant server on their machine?

Q: I am confused about the installation process. The installation suggests to install Review Assistant server on a user’s computer, and the default server URL is as follows: http://localhost:85/ReviewAssistant. This way all developers are disconnected from each other, are they not? What and how do I install on a server, so that everybody shares the same data?

A: First of all, you need to install Review Assistant server somewhere on you LAN, then configure it.

Next, run Review Assistant setup with Client installation option on other workstations and specify server URL in the settings.

Default administrator’s login\/password is Admin\/Admin. After successful login under it, you can manage users and their roles.

Will I lose my review data while upgrading to the latest version?

Q: I was looking to install the 2.0 version of Review Assistant, but it’s asking me to uninstall 1.2.30 first. Will it migrate all the existing data? I can’t lose in-progress code reviews, and I don’t want to lose history, either.

A: The database migrates automatically while reinstalling Review Assistant. Moreover, before uninstalling, the application creates the database backup that is located in the same folder where the original database file is stored. Thus, you will not lose any data while upgrading the older version to the latest one. After the new version is installed, you will see all the data in the Code Review Board.

What it means, when a file doesn’t belong to any repository?

Q: What does it mean: ‘This file doesn’t belong to any repository of the current Review Assistant project’?

A: To be able to add a comment to a file, this file should be located in one of the working directories, that are indicated in the current Review Assistant project settings. A user can change this settings if their working folder location is differ from the default.

Does a purchase of Review Assistant include Code Compare?

Q: Using Code Compare for comparing file revisions gives me additional benefits. But does a purchase of Review Assistant include Code Compare?

A: No, it does not. But there is a free version of Code Compare that enables code review benefits for you. To decide whether you need to buy Code Compare, refer to the product editions page.

How can I activate my license?

Q: I’ve bought the product and received a license file. What should I do next to apply this license?

A: In order to activate the license, complete the following steps:

  1. Copy the license file you received to the following folder:
  • in Windows 8, 7, 10 or Vista:
    C:\ProgramData\Devart\Review Assistant
    
  • in Windows XP:

      C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Devart\Review Assistant
    
  1. Restart Review Assistant Service

For more information see the Installing a License Key from Client UI topic.

In our team we have different working directories. Does the tool support such scenario?

Q: I have setup a project, added couple of users. Finally I added some comments and the others are able to see them. Now the problem is that I and 2 other developers have different working directories.

So the file path which the comment shows is that of my system rather than theirs. The product is unusable. How can I fix this?

A: To fix the problem a developer should do the following:

  • Open the Review Assistant Options window.

  • Select the required project under teh Projects tab.

  • Set the Working directory value to match own path to source code.

If you are the owner of the project, you can select ‘Save working directories as default’. Then the option ‘Working directory’ applies for all users involved in this project.

But this is useful only when you have a convention concerning the location of the project source code. Anyway, every user can supersede this value.

Does Review Assistant support integration with 3rd party code compare tool?

Q: I am considering getting Review Assistant for my development team, but I don’t want to buy another code compare tool. Will it integrate nicely with Beyond Compare?

A: Yes, you can integrate Review Assistant with a 3rd party code compare tool. Here you can read how to do this.

Note: With another diff tool you will lose benefits of using Code Compare, such as ‘Add comment to review’ option in the context menu and visibility of open comments during the diff process.

Does a purchase of Review Assistant include Code Compare?

Q: Using Code Compare for comparing file revisions gives me additional benefits. But does a purchase of Review Assistant include Code Compare?

A: No, it does not. But there is a free version of Code Compare that enables code review benefits for you. To decide whether you need to buy Code Compare, refer to the product editions page.

Does Review Assistant impact TFS server in any way?

Q: Does Review Assistant impact TFS server in any way? Does it add any objects to the server?

A: Review Assistant does not modify TFS server, it is a very self-contained application, so you can freely install it without being afraid that Review Assistant will affect TFS server in any way.

What it means, when a file doesn’t belong to any repository?

Q: What does it mean: ‘This file doesn’t belong to any repository of the current Review Assistant project’?

A: To be able to add a comment to a file, this file should be located in one of the working directories, that are indicated in the current Review Assistant project settings. A user can change this settings if their working folder location is differ from the default.

I added several revisions to a review. Why I can’t move the revision slider?

Q: I added several revisions to a review, however I can not drag the revision slider. What is the reason?

A: Revision slider shows the revisions range added to the current review. It doesn’t show a particular revision. The slider notches allow you to determine a number of iterations. For more information, please read this topic.

Will I lose my review data while upgrading to the latest version?

Q: I was looking to install the 2.0 version of Review Assistant, but it’s asking me to uninstall 1.2.30 first. Will it migrate all the existing data? I can’t lose in-progress code reviews, and I don’t want to lose history, either.

A: The database migrates automatically while reinstalling Review Assistant. Moreover, before uninstalling, the application creates the database backup that is located in the same folder where the original database file is stored. Thus, you will not lose any data while upgrading the older version to the latest one. After the new version is installed, you will see all the data in the Code Review Board.

Why am I unable to connect to TFS server while Visual Studio Team Explorer connects fine?

Q: I am unable to connect to the TFS server. However Visual Studio successfully connects to the TFS server using the same URL. Error info: TF31002: Unable to connect to this Team Foundation Server: http://tfs:8080/tfs.

A: Try adding ‘DefaultCollection’ in the end of the URL, for example, https://mycompany.visualstudio.com/DefaultCollection. Alternatively, specify the exact name of the desired collection.

How can I downgrade to the previous version of Review Assistant?

Q: I recently installed Review Assistant update without realizing our license/maintenance expired this past September. After installing the update, our system now shows we are on a 30 day trial. Is there any way to roll back the update and get back to our previous license state?

A: Prior to upgrading, Review Assistant creates a copy of the review database for backup purposes. You can find it here:

C:\ProgramData\Devart\Review Assistant\reviewassistant.bak.

Uninstall Review Assistant, rename reviewassistant.bak to reviewassistant.db, and install the old version again.