Source Control

Source Control is a system that versions your source code files. The system captures all the changes to your source code.

This is typically done using a tool known as a version control tool. Examples of version software Version Control Tool SCM Tool Software Configuration Management Tool Content Management Software

Source Code is typically a file or set of files that contain human readable text that when it is interpreted or compiled by a computer, it performs a task, or runs a computer program.

The Internet browser you are using to read this web page is an example of a compiled computer program.

This web page itself, www.scmwise.com/source-control.html, is an example of an interpreted computer program.

This file, or set of files, contains a set of instructions that tell the computer what to do.

Most computer programs are made up of hundreds or even thousands of files containing source code.

These computer instructions are written in a computer language that can be interpreted or compiled on the computer by tools known as an Interpreter or a Compiler.

Examples of computer languages are C, C++, Java, Python, Perl, JavaScript, HTML and C#.

• Provides a Safe and Secure Place to Store your Source Code
• Historical Record of All Changes Made to your Source Code Files
• Ability to Baseline Specific Versions of Files for Trace Ability
• Parallel Development Support

If you have ever worked with a group of developers on a project not using source control, you know the frustration.

It can be painful trying to coordinate file swapping between project team members.

All developers worth their salt have used revision control tools.

Software Configuration Management Tools provide many benefits in addition to providing the ability to have an unlimited number of people working on a specific file at the same time.

You can instantly browse previous commits to your repository and revert to earlier versions if something happens.

However, there is a little more to it than just using a version control tool.

Finding the tools that fits your organization greatly helps in success of implementing a source control system.

Here is a list of some of the more widely used SCM Tools

The difference between wisely and foolishly administering code can greatly impact the success of any development organization.

There have been software development organizations who have had catastrophic loss of their code through a hardware failure or data corruption, only to suffer little to no down-time because of proper backups and precautions were followed.

There have been known cases where companies encountered weeks of down time due to source administration ignorance and not following code administration best practice.

Following standard Source Control Best Practices is the only way to ensure a healthy and productive development environment.

• Use a reliable and dedicated server to house your code
• Backup your code daily
• Test your backup and restore processes
• Choose a source control tool that fits your organization's requirements
• Perform all tool specific administrative tasks
• Keep your code repositories as clean as possible
• Secure access to your code
• Source Code Administration

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Software Version Control Software Version Control is a software system designed to track changes to individual files and directories. It's primary function is to facilitate, track and help organize changes to constantly evolving software systems.

Source Code Source Code is the intellectual property of an organization. Understanding and properly protecting this valuable asset is one of Software Configuration Management's highest priority.

Source Code Administration Source Code Administration is an important aspect of SCM. Ensuring wise and effective administration to your companies source code is vital to your organization's success.

Source Code Branching Most software projects will invariably require some efforts to be done in parallel. Large software projects require many roles to be filled, developers, architects, builders, testers and managers.

Software Baseline The goal of the baseline is to uniquely identify each version of a software component or application, and to facilitate detection and correction of configuration errors.

Source Code Evaluation In Software Configuration Management, one of the most common asked questions is what SCM source code tools should I use. The answer is, it depends on your source code evaluation criteria.

Source Control Source Control is a system or tool that versions the changes to a source code file. This is beneficial for many reasons, but the most fundamental reason is that it allows you to track changes on a per file basis. The typical tools used for versioning are called version control tools, software configuration management tools, or content management tools.

Version Control Version Control is a system or tool that captures the changes to a source code element: file, folder, image or binary. This is beneficial for many reasons, but the most fundamental reason is it allows you to track changes on a per file basis.

Version Control Software Version Control Software is an overview of the features and concepts of a few of the more commonly used Open Source SCM Tools, Subversion, Bazaar and Git.

SCMWise Home SCMWise is dedicated to Software Configuration Management. This site is a central repository for the collection of best practices, processes, methodologies and tools that surround SCM.