10 best practices for version control
Used correctly, version control is an invaluable tool, but following a few basic guidelines can help you get even more out of your version control system. In this article, I share ten best practices for getting the most out of version control.
1) Version control everything…
Version control is no longer just for source code management. Thanks to easy-to-use and intuitive tools like TortoiseSVN and uberSVN, version control is increasingly becoming a tool for programmers and non-programmers alike. Consider encouraging all members of your team (including non-technical ones) to keep all files and folders related to your project under version control. This could include meeting minutes and whiteboard notes, architectural designs, and user documentation. Even for documents that are unlikely to change, it’s helpful to have everything in one place and available to all team members.
2)…but don’t treat version control as a backup system
Although version control provides you with a backup of your files and folders on a remote server, using your version control as a backup system is a bad habit that doesn’t take full advantage of the unique functionality of the system (although it is backup possible). your Apache Subversion repositories).
3) Compromise easily readable documents
If you are submitting documents that require formatting before they can be read, consider submitting them in a more accessible form, such as a PDF. In addition to making documents faster and easier to access, this allows you to refer people directly to a document in the repository. However, remember to update both versions of the document when you make changes (or better yet, automate this process).
4) Be consistent with your file/folder names
Implementing a logical naming convention will make it easier to locate certain elements. Ideally, this naming convention should be explained in a coding conventions file, which is accessible to all members of your team, and this convention should be extended to all projects in your repository.
5) Commit little and often
Make small changes often, instead of making many small changes lumped together into one big chunk. This will reduce the chances of encountering complications, such as merge conflicts, and reduce the complexity of such conflicts when they do occur.
6) Submit only finished work
Never commit half-completed code. This seems to go against the concept of ‘committing little and often’, but the solution is to break the task you’re working on into manageable but logical chunks, and then commit to them regularly.
7) Update regularly
This relates to the concept of ‘committing little and often’. Make regular updates to your working copy, to keep up with changes being made to the trunk. This is important, even if it seems like your current job has little to do with the rest of the team. It is also good practice to update your working copy before making any changes.
8) Make use of log messages
Always use log messages and be sure to include as much information as possible (what changes were made, why and by whom, etc.). in the log message.
9) Implement sensible project design
Maintaining a version control system can be a complex task, so it’s crucial to implement a logical project design from the start. Some version control systems, such as Apache Subversion, do not enforce a strict project or repository structure, which makes planning your design in advance even more important.
10) Testing, testing, testing
Get in the habit of systematically testing everything, especially before you commit or merge. Also consider CI and assertion testing on feature branches, which is a useful way to indicate code maturity and progress.