My focus is on making software, coaching Agile/Scrum teams, and being a husband and father--definitely not on blogging--so please do not expect very frequent posts here.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Collaborator vs. TFS code reviews

I've been using SmartBear Software's Collaborator (formerly Code Collaborator) at work for some time now.  I looked for any info out there on how it compares to TFS code reviews, which happen in Visual Studio.  I couldn't find any, so here is my first shot at a comparison:

Collaborator possible advantages
  • Can add updates to a code review after it has started (as well as any other new files as desired) 
  • Real-time chat/updates 
  • Takes place in a separate tool to provide a different mental context for reviews; does not affect changesets, code, etc. directly
  • Allows for over-under diff view and many other view configuration
  • Allows for flexible workflow - imposes a minimum amount of process 
  • Can create reviews from arbitrary files (not limited to version-controlled files) 
  • Can be used by users that don't have TFS or don't want to open Visual Studio 
  • More full-featured in general (small features too numerous to list) 
  • In active development (Microsoft isn't often adding features to TFS Code Review)
 TFS Code Review possible advantages
  • Takes place in the same tool as development (Visual Studio)
  • Automatically creates TFS work items 
  • Insists on one certain workflow for doing code reviews 
  • Can create reviews from TFS: pending changes, changesets, or shelvesets 
The bolded item is particularly compelling, in my opinion. What other advantages to either can you see?