Setting up Subversion and SVN Repository
Table of contents:
- What is Subversion?
- What is Tortoise SVN?
- What is AnkhSVN?
- Is there a MAC client for Subversion?
- Do I need to use Subversion?
- Benefits of using Subversion
- Benefits of using TortoiseSVN
- How to manage your SVN repository locally through TortoiseSVN
- How to view your SVN repository through a browser
- Comprehensive Subversion training solutions
What is Subversion?
The SVN Repository, or Subversion, is a secure, online version control system used to manage files and source code over time. The files are stored in a central server and accessed via the Web.
The repository is much like an ordinary file server for storing and transferring files, except that it also remembers every change ever made to your files and directories. This allows you to recover older versions of your files and examine the history of how and when your data changed.
Files stored in an SVN repository can be viewed through a web browser (read-only) or viewed and edited through a free client download, such as TortoiseSVN.
Click here to read why Redhat.com says Subversion is better than CVS.
Another great article on collaboration using Subversion.
Need help with Subversion? Read The Subversion Book here: http://svnbook.red-bean.com/
What is Tortoise SVN?
Subversion has a Windows client, TortoiseSVN, which is extremely well integrated with Windows Explorer. TortoiseSVN allows customers and professionals to easily synchronize files between their local machines and the central repository.
You can use the TortoiseSVN client to checkin a file by an upload, checkout a file by downloading, and to view file history.
Download and install TortoiseSVN for your OS from http://sourceforge.net/projects/tortoisesvn/
What is AnkhSVN?
AnkhSVN is a Subversion SourceControl Provider for Visual Studio. The software allows you to perform the most common version control operations directly from inside the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE. With AnkhSVN you no longer need to leave your IDE to perform tasks like viewing the status of your source code, updating your Subversion working copy and committing changes. You can even browse your repository and you can plug-in your favorite diff tool.
Download AnkhSVN today from our partner Collabnet.
Is there a MAC client for Subversion?
Yes, you can find a MAC client named SmartSVN at http://www.smartsvn.com/smartsvn/index.html
We currently do not provide a user-guide to SmartSVN.
Do I need to use Subversion?
You will find that many of your assignments may involve collaboration between several team members, each of whom may be changing the same file.
In order to ensure that everyone involved in the project has the latest working copy, we recommend that you use SVN for sharing and managing all code, documents, and files that you need to share with your team. An SVN account has been set up for you and is hosted on oDesk’s secure servers.
Benefits of using Subversion
Subversion provides:
- Directory versioning: With Subversion, files and directories are versioned to track changes.
- True version history: Subversion tracks who, when, and what changes have been made to the file or directory.
- Protection against disk crashes: Subversion implements a backup system to prevent loss of files.
Benefits of using TortoiseSVN
- Windows Explorer integration.
- Icon overlays show immediately which files/folders need to be uploaded (committed) to the database.
- Easy to use dialogs for version control operations.
- The interface is available in different languages.
- Global revision numbers. You can get old versions of your project and not just single files.
- Atomic transactions. Interrupted operations don't affect the repository at all.
How to manage your SVN repository locally through TortoiseSVN
- Download and install TortoiseSVN for your OS from http://sourceforge.net/projects/tortoisesvn/
- Create a folder for the project files on your desktop.
- Right-click the Checkout folder.
- Enter the repository URL in the following format: https://secure.odesk.com/svn/<your_team_id> Then click OK.
- If a message displays that the certificate issuer is unknown, click Accept Permanently.
- Enter your user name and password, and click OK. The SVN will download all the project files that were not in the folder you have created, or the files that were updated since your latest checkout.
- If you have any new files or changes to the existing files, right-click the folder and use the Commit option to send the files from your computer to the server.
- Select the files you want to be uploaded or updated. Then click OK.
Note: You can click on the Show Unversioned Files checkbox to show files that are not currently under version control, or unclick this box to show files that are. You may also select all files to by clicking on the Select/ Deselect All button.
How to view your SVN repository through a browser
If either you or your team members go online to your secure SVN folder, they will be able to see any files that you uploaded. You can go to your company’s online repository at secure.odesk.com/svn/<mycompany>
Also, when anyone else on your team makes updates to your SVN repository, you will receive email notifications. Once you receive these, you may want to update your folder to include the latest files. You can do this by simply right-clicking again on the folder, and selecting “update”. This will then automatically download all new files from the server to your computer.
For additional information, see the Daily Use Guide from the developer website of TortoiseSVN.
http://tortoisesvn.sourceforge.net/?q=faq
Comprehensive Subversion training solutions
Looking for Subversion training videos? Check out our partner site for comprehensive Subversion training solutions.
Ensure Rapid Rollout and Maximum Success
CollabNet's industry-leading Subversion training curriculum is based on years of experience facilitating the adoption of Subversion and CollabNet Subversion in the enterprise. Our dual focus—Subversion's features and functionality and the best practices necessary for successful enterprise deployments—is aimed at customers who want to rapidly deploy Subversion and get the most from their development teams.