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Category: Subversion
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Subversion is a revision control system. Basically it consist of a storage area on a server (like Dropbox) and functionality to compare local copies to what is stored on the server. 

  • Download only changes from the server
  • Everyone has the latest version
  • Solve conflicts if two persons commit changes to the same files
  •  See what has been done in the log

On the workstation / client, integration to Windows is commonly done by installing the free software Tortoise SVN. Tortoise adds 'right click' functions to perform actions on files or folders. The most commonly used functions are

  • Add
  • Commit
  • Update
  • Show log

Installation and configuration

Simply download the latest version of Tortoise SVN and install it. You might need to restart after installation. 

Now create a folder somewhere, e.g C:\svn. In this folder you can then create a folder for each project. 

Assume for instance that J2 is developing a new circuit board for you with the project name ACMSD01. Create the folder C:\svn\ACMSD01 and right-click on it. Select 'SVN Checkout...' and enter

 The above information has been sent to you earlier. If not: contact J2.

The computer might ask you to accept an encryption certificate, and if you want to store your login credentials. Answer 'yes' in that case. 

The project will now be downloaded to your folder.

Updating your folder

If any file(s) has been changed on the server, simply right click and choose 'SVN update'. Any changes will be downloaded. If you have changed a file locally, and it is also changed on the server, there will be a conflict which need to be solved. 

It is good practice to do an update before you start working with the folder. 

To upload changes

If you have changed or added files in the project folder : right click and choose 'SVN commit'. You get the option to enter a log message (which is highly recommended to let others know what your have done but also as a reminder to yourself). When you click OK the changed files will be uploaded to the server. 

Adding files or folders

Simply right click on the file or folder and choose 'SVN add'. The folder or file will get a + sign on its icon. The file or folder will of course not actually be added to the server until yo do a commit (see 'To upload changes' above).