Using Versions (SVN client) - i don't get it

gameover · 7 Nov 2010 at 00:35

Hi,
I've never used version control stuff before, but seeing as i do run and update websites i probably should.

I currently use Coda, and have Versions installed, and after following a tutorial i've got dropbox set up so versions saves the svn database stuff on dropbox, so i can use it on other computers.

I don't really get the process though. Right now, i login (via ftp/sftp) in coda, double click the file, edit it (in coda still), cmd + s, and it saves it.

If i want to use version control, would i have to do that same thing, but after i've made each change, copy it over to the folder i use for the svn database (on my dropbox "drive")? is there any way to just automate it?

thanks

fez · 7 Nov 2010 at 14:05

Shouldnt there be a master repository that your local repository is linked to. You can then just do a batch commit of all your changes to the master repository when a new feature is complete.

The idea of subversion is to avoid issues with breaking code and allow you to fall back to previous versions should you make an error. This doesnt work very well if you are updating the master store after every save as you will have a million and 1 commits to trawl through to find where it all went wrong.

Randomface74 · 7 Nov 2010 at 14:11

you should have one svn repository.
use tortoisesvn to get a local copy into your chosen folder, then work directly on that.

tripitaka · 8 Nov 2010 at 10:10

Or use Git

gameover · 11 Nov 2010 at 01:22

billysielu said:
you should have one svn repository.
use tortoisesvn to get a local copy into your chosen folder, then work directly on that.

But what if the site has 100s of files, yet i only need to edit one or two, this will mean downloading 100s of files every time i want to edit something?