Switching from SourceSafe to Subversion
From MohidWiki
Contents
- 1 FAQ
- 1.1 Are we really going to change from source-safe to subversion?
- 1.2 Do I really have to change?
- 1.3 Why?
- 1.4 When?
- 1.5 What are the implications?
- 1.6 What are the other implications?
- 1.7 'Do all the versions of the code will be stored in Subversion?
- 1.8 Will it work the same way as with source-safe?
- 1.9 Is this the right time change?
FAQ
Are we really going to change from source-safe to subversion?
Yes, after a lot of propositions and debating with the main developers at Maretec and Hidromod, we opted to make the switch from source-safe to subversion.
Do I really have to change?
Yes.
Why?
Because source-safe has some limitations that prevent a better development and maintenance of the MOHID code:
- Source-safe is proprietary code (you need to pay for a licence to use it),
- Source-safe is no longer supported and has been discontinued by the maker,
- Source-safe is hardly portable to other platforms such as linux or mac.
On the other hand:
- Subversion is free-software,
- Subversion has a very active community of users and developers,
- Subversion is cross-platform (windows, linux, mac, unix, solaris...),
When?
In the next coming months. June 2009 is a good deadline. We'll let you know in due time. Documentation will be made and workshops will be held.
What are the implications?
The users of source-safe will have to install a subversion client in their computers and configure it in order to access the new subversion repository of the MOHID code. So, basically, it's a new interface to get the latest version of the code. And that's all.
What are the other implications?
Developers will have to use the subversion client to perform all the standard source-safe actions like check-out, check-in, diff, merge, roll-back and branching. Also, the same code can be edited at the same time. The latest to check-in will have to undergo the merge process carefully. The experience of the subversion user's database tells that it's better that way.
'Do all the versions of the code will be stored in Subversion?
No. We'll start from a clean recent version. Only the subsequent versions will stored in Subversion. However, we will keep the the source-safe database unchanged and locked in "read-only".
Will it work the same way as with source-safe?
Yes. Get latest version, check-in, check-out. Same thing, different interface.
Is this the right time change?
As good as any other.
