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What You Should Know About Version Control

You may be familiar with the frustration of constantly swapping files if you have ever collaborated with other people on the same project. Some file swapping is done through email, some do it through file upload services, and others use alternative methods. No matter how you share files, every designer and developer knows it is usually a pain in the neck. This is where version control comes in. Version control is an excellent way to address the problem of sharing files between workers when they have to harmonize their work to create one complete product. Version control allows user to keep track of files over time. As a result, this means that if one person makes a mistake, you can easily backtrack to a previous working version. Using version control software helps many authors working on large, fast-changing projects to keep track of changes and avoid general chaos.

Good version control systems beat out shared followers by performing the following functions:

1. Backup and restore files.
2. Synchronize files so that multiple people can stay up-to-date with the latest version.
3. Allow short-term undo in the event a small mistake is made.
4. Track changes to see how a file is evolving over time and why.
5. Track ownership to help give credit where it is due.

Distributed Version Control

While traditional version control tools help you backup, track, and synchronize files, a distributed version control makes it simple to share changes. When done correctly, your team can get the best of both worlds with simple merging and centralized releases. With a distributed version control every change has a unique id but no forced structure. As a result, you can keep centrally administered locations or keep everyone as peers. This means that everyone has a local sandbox to make changes in, it works offline, there is less management involved, changes are easily handled, and branching and merging is simple. There are a few disadvantages to distributed version control, such as still needing a backup and not getting the latest version. However, these minor hitches can be easily fixed.

CVS Version Control

First released in 1986, CVS version control is the grandparent of document version control. It is a very simple system for keeping files and revisions updated, making it simple for all levels of developers and designers to learn. While it may be older than other version control software out there, it is still useful for backing up and sharing files while working on collaborative projects.

How to Get Started Using Version Control

For those new to version control, take it slow. A small project may not need branching and merging, while larger projects often have experienced project managers who keep track of the branches and progress. It is important to keep learning. Every different version control system has a different language and philosophy. Knowing the concepts such as the basic setup, basic actions, and more advanced actions will help every author better understand how to use a version control system.