Version Control
Also Known As
Related
Addresses / Mitigates
- Implementation Risk: Maintains a history of changes, allowing rollback to previous versions if needed.
- Coordination Risk: Facilitates collaboration by allowing multiple developers to work on the codebase simultaneously.
Attendant Risks
- Communication Risk: Poor version management can be chaotic and leave lots of work in progress.
Used By
- DevOps: Version Control and Artifact Management are essential for managing code and builds in DevOps.
- Extreme Programming: Version control is a best practice in software development, including in XP.
- Scrum: Version control is a best practice in software development, including in Scrum.
Description
"Version control is a system that records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later." - Version control, Wikipedia
Version Control in software development involves using systems that track changes to the codebase over time. This practice allows developers to manage versions, collaborate on code, and revert to previous states if necessary. Version control is essential for maintaining the integrity and history of the project.
Variations
| Version Control Type | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distributed VCS | Every developer has a full copy of the repository (e.g., Git, Mercurial). | Distributed Version Control, Wikipedia |
| Centralised VCS | A single central repository that developers commit to (e.g., SVN, CVS). | Version Control, Wikipedia |
| Trunk-Based Development | All developers work on a single branch with frequent small commits. | Trunk-Based Development |
Used By
DevOps
A set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the development lifecycle and provide continuous delivery with high software quality.
Why: Version Control and Artifact Management are essential for managing code and builds in DevOps.
- Version Control
- Artifact Management
Extreme Programming
An Agile software development methodology that emphasizes customer satisfaction, teamwork, and frequent delivery of small, functional software increments.
Why: Version control is a best practice in software development, including in XP.
Scrum
An Agile framework for managing and completing complex projects.
Why: Version control is a best practice in software development, including in Scrum.