Scratchbox has been designed to allow multiple application developers work simultaneously on a single host machine. Each developer has his private user account, and all configuration is developer-specific. For example, toolchains are set up on a per-developer basis, so they don't need to be identical across all accounts.
This document explains possible system configurations for development, and shows and example procedure on how to set everything up. Please note that it depends on your project which approach is the best one for you.
There are several alternative ways of setting up Scratchbox for multiple developers:
each developer installs local version of Scratchbox onto his Linux desktop workstation
Scratchbox is installed on a server, and developers share a single user account
Scratchbox is installed on a server, and each developer has a separate user account.
The number and location of target devices may also vary. If the project is very small it is best to connect target device directly to the developer's workstation. If ethernet connectivity is available for the target device it is possible to install Scratchbox on a server and still have target device physically near developer's workstation. For a target device that has only serial or USB connection it is possible to connect it to server and do development and testing remotely using X windowing techniques (see Opening X windows on remote computer).
If there is only a single target device available it is best to connect it to server, preferably via ethernet connection, and have the device physically at lead tester's work spot. All testing work is then coordinated by the lead tester.
This example configuration expects that
Scratchbox will be installed on a (dedicated) server
there is only single target device available
two developers need to work on the project
all machines are connected to a secure local network.
One of the developers is expected to be elected as "Scratchbox administrator", and he should set up the system according to the instructions outlined below:
ensure that target device has ethernet support
set up and verify network connection between server and target device (Accessing the iPaq)
install and test Linux and GUI on target device (Installing Linux)
create system user account for each developer on the server
install Scratchbox on server (Installation instructions for administrator)
add Scratchbox users (Setup procedure for users)
add and set up identical toolchains for all users, for example PC and ARM (Setup procedure for users)
start Scratchbox using a developer account and attempt to compile command line helloworld using all configured toolchains (Building a simple command line program)
set up and test CPU transparency for each user (CPU transparency)
set up rootstrap for each user (Rootstrap)
start Scratchbox using a developer account and attempt to compile GUI helloworld using all configured toolchains (Rootstrap)
connect target device to network and place it near your workstation
copy GUI helloworld to target device and verify it runs correctly
test the system as a whole.