Troubleshooting
Problem
This technote explains why running the IBM® Rational® ClearCase® find command in certain VOBs, results in the error, Operation "view_gpath" failed: Can't get name for object with dbid.
Symptom
A ClearCase VOB consists of File System Objects and Metadata.
When a cleartool command tries to display a File System Object (Element / Branch / Versions / Symbolic link) it attempts to generate a path-name to the object that is correct in the current view.
Doing so is a "view_gpath" operation.
Depending in the view config spec, the object may not be visible in the view. In this case ClearCase shall generate a name that includes paths through directory versions that are eclipsed in the view.
On rare occasions ClearCase is unable to generate a path even using hidden directory versions. In this case it writes the error:
Operation "view_gpath" failed: Can't get name for object with dbid nnnn
Cause
In theory this situation should not occur. When a new element is added to a ClearCase VOB, it must be added to a CHECKEDOUT directory version that is visible in the view. When a directory version is removed that is the last directory version providing a path to an element, that element should be automatically moved to the special directory "lost+found".
Therefore, the situation could be due to a failure in the "move to lost+found" process.
It can also occur as a side effect of a repair of a corrupt VOB database.
Resolving The Problem
If you are receiving this error and are concerned about it, contact IBM Rational Support to have the specific situation investigated.
To find more information about the object(s) with the issue, use the dbid number nnnn
as argument to the commands:
cleartool describe -long dbid:nnnn
cleartool dump -long dbid:nnnn
You must be still within the same view and VOB when issuing these commands.
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Document Information
Modified date:
29 September 2018
UID
swg21199210