What is the difference between cloning and duplicating modules and when you use these functions?

Answer

Module duplication creates an exact copy of any given formal module, including objects, attributes and outgoing links. Incoming links are lost as that information is held in the source module.

Duplicating can be used in situations where the bulk of the content of a particular module will remain unchanged and only specific edits are needed to complete the module.

Cloning modules gives you more control over what aspects are copied from the original module to a new module. For example, you can clone the following features: Heading Structures, Column Structure, Attribute Definitions, Attribute Types, Links and Views.

Cloning allows you build a new module structure based on a legacy module without having to start afresh. It allows you to copy the structure of the module, only copying the necessary elements to your new module. This is an advantage if you want to have a blank module with the same structure for fresh input. It is similar to generating your own template.

If you wanted to move a particular module to another project you must use the DOORS archive - restore functionality. This will also lose incoming links although you will be warned that this will happen.

Further information can be found in the DOORS Reference Manual.