This book covers the theory behind version control and how it can help developers become more efficient, work better as a team, and keep on top of software complexity. All projects need version control: it's the lifeblood of any project's infrastructure, yet half of all project teams in the U.S. don't use any version control at all. Many others don't use it well, and end up experiencing time-consuming problems. Version Control, done well, is your undo button for the project: nothing is final, and mistakes are easily rolled back. This book describes Subversion, the latest and hottest Open Source version control system, using a recipe-based approach that will get you up and running quickly--and correctly. Learn how to use Subversion the right way--the pragmatic way. With this book, you can: Keep all project assets safe--not just source code--and never run the risk of losing a great ideaKnow how to undo bad decisions--even directories and symlinks are versionedLearn how to share code safely, and work in parallel for maximum efficiencyInstall Subversion and organize, administer and backup your repository Share code over a network with Apache, svnserve, or sshCreate and manage releases, code branches, merges and bug fixesManage 3rd party code safelyNow there's no excuse not to use professional-grade version control.

A consultant who develops enterprise applications for companies, Mason explains how to improve the effectiveness of a software development process using version control, sometimes called source code control. He focuses on version control from a project--rather than an individual developer's--perspective, explaining the tasks needed to perform well in a successful project and showing how a version control system can help. It can, he says be a project-wide undo button, allow many developers to work on the same code base, keep a record of all changes over time, allow multiple releases of the software while the development continues, and reveal where the project stood on any particular date. He demonstrates with the open-source Subversion system.
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