Software code tracking and management is called version control or source control. Using version control systems, software Development, software teams can better manage source code changes over time. Version control systems facilitate faster and more intelligent software teamwork as environments for development have accelerated. DevOps teams find them especially helpful as they enable faster development times and more successful deployments.
Every change made to the code is tracked by version control software in a unique type of database. When an error occurs, developers can go back in time and compare previous iterations of the code to help correct the problem with the least amount of disturbance to the other members of the team.
Source code is the most precious stone in the crown of software projects.it is an asset that must be safeguarded. For most software groups, the source code serves as a storehouse for the priceless information and comprehension the programmers have painstakingly gathered and polished about the problem domain. Version control shields source code from unintended consequences, human error, and catastrophic events.
This blog is dedicated to helping you introduce yourself to version control and its uses, types, and importance. Let’s get started.
What is Version Control in ?
Version control is described as a system that helps manage change by tracking the evolution of code through the software development lifecycle and its numerous iterations. It does this by keeping track of each change, including authorship, timestamp, and other details.
Version control, sometimes called revision control or source control systems, tracks and manages software code changes. Software development teams can monitor changes to source code over time with the help of technologies known as version control systems.
Thanks to version control systems, software teams can now work more quickly and intelligently, especially in larger development environments. They will help DevOps teams expedite successful deployments and shorten development times, which is why they are advantageous.
How Does Version Control Work?
Before digging into the tools and advantages, let’s start with the working of version control. Suppose you are traveling on a busy road with many vehicles passing by simultaneously. There would be a speed camera or a traffic officer to monitor the speed of the cars, issue speeding tickets, and keep a record of the vehicles that pass for security purposes.
Similarly, when development and operations teams collaborate simultaneously and generate incompatible changes, in that case, version control identifies the trouble spots so that teammates can compare changes or quickly identify the author of the problematic code by examining the revision history. A software development team can use systems for version control to solve an issue before continuing with a project.
Software teams can learn how a solution has evolved through code reviews by looking at previous iterations. Version control software keeps track of all code changes in a specific database. If a mistake is made, developers can fix it by going back in time and reviewing earlier iterations of the code, causing the least amount of disruption to the rest of the team.
The initial version control system was based on mainframes, and each programmer connected to the network via a terminal. Initially available on UNIX systems, the first server-based, or centralized, version control systems using a single shared repository were later made available on MS-DOS and Windows.
Labels or tags can identify different versions, and baselines can identify authorized or especially significant versions. Other teams or individuals can use checked-out versions as a branching point for code from the primary trunk. When versions are checked out and checked in, the first version to check in always prevails.
To add new modifications to the central repository, some systems may allow version merging if other versions have been verified. A different approach to version control called branching involves copying development programs to create parallel versions of the program while retaining the original and working on the branch or separately modifying each.
The original program from which a copy is derived is referred to as the trunk, baseline, mainline, or master. Each copy is called a branch. The industry standard model for version control is a client-server architecture. Distributed version control is an additional method in which updates are made by peers exchanging patches or modifications, and all copies are maintained in a codebase repository. Teams can collaborate, expedite development, resolve conflicts, and centrally arrange code with version control.
Top 3 Best Version Control Tools in Software Development:
These days, version control tools are in popular demand, and almost every developer team uses them to keep a record of their code, revision histories, and maintainability. Every tool has pros and cons, but the top 3 tools survived the test of errors and advancements. Almost all big tech companies, including Cipher Protech, use them; believe me, they are a lifesaver.
Git:
One of the most robust version control systems available today is Git. The centralized version control system known as Git was developed by Linus Torvalds, the man who created Linux. It can track modifications in any file and has a small memory footprint. This, along with its vast feature set, gives you a version control system capable of handling any kind of project. Because of its straightforward workflow, Microsoft, Facebook, and Google use it.
Note: Please don’t confuse Git with Git Hub. Git is a locally installed version control tool, whereas Git Hub is a cloud service developed to share Git code.
Azure DevOps:
You can use all of Azure DevOps services or just those you need to enhance your workflow. Azure DevOps Server, formerly Team Foundation Server (TFS), is a collection of developing software technologies you can use in tandem. Azure DevOps Server is a source code management program that includes, among other things, build automation, bug tracking, version control, collaboration, change management, and access controls and permissions.
IBM Configuration Management Version Control (CMVC):
Configuration Management Version Control (CMVC) software performs configuration management, software version control, and change management functions. This system was client and server-based, with command-line and graphical clients for various platforms and servers supporting multiple Unix flavors. It is capable of tracking file history even after renaming a file. This is because the filename on the disc was a number, and developers may change the database filename. Power delegation is made feasible by its decentralized administration.
Apache Subversion:
A free and open-source version control system called Apache Subversion helps programmers track important files’ latest and older versions. It can monitor changes made to web pages, source code, and project documentation. Subversion’s primary features include workflow management, user access restrictions, and inexpensive local branching. Subversion is a powerful centralized system that can manage individual projects and commercial products. Like Apache Cassandra, it is one of the numerous open-source products offered by Apache.
Conclusions:
Systems for version control are essential to contemporary software development. Irrespective of who works on the code, it guarantees accountability and aids in the upkeep of a trustworthy source code repository. Additionally, streamlining the root cause research procedure facilitates identifying and removing bottlenecks. In the end, version control makes it possible to develop collaboratively and iteratively in short release cycles using just one glass pane.