Subversion (often shortened to SVN) is a centralized version control system used to manage changes to files and projects over time.
Think of it as a digital archive for your project, where each modification is recorded like a chapter in its history. This allows you to:
- Track Changes: See exactly who made what changes, when they were made, and why.
- Revert to Previous Versions: If something goes wrong, easily go back to a working version of your project.
- Collaborate Effectively: Multiple people can work on the same project simultaneously without overwriting each other's work.
Key Features:
- Centralized Repository: All project files are stored in a central server (repository) accessible by all team members.
- Working Copies: Users create local copies of the project (working copies) on their computers to make changes.
- Committing Changes: When ready, users "commit" their changes back to the central repository, merging them with other updates.
Uses:
Subversion is widely used for managing software projects, documentation, and any type of digital content where version history is important.