Nothing stays the same for long, including in software development. Things can change fast; files get updated, ideas shift, and mistakes happen. That's why version control is needed to ensure that every change is tracked, organized, and easy to roll back if needed.
Definition of Version Control
Version control or source control is a system used to monitor and manage changes to software code over time. Without it, keeping track of what changes were made, when, and by whom would be nearly impossible.
This approach is especially useful in collaborative projects or workflows with frequent updates. A well-implemented version control helps prevent serious errors by keeping a detailed history of every update. Developers can experiment freely, knowing they can revert the changes if needed and reduce the chances of code conflicts during collaboration.
Benefits of Version Control
With your understanding of what version control means, its benefits become clear:
Quality:
It's easier to spot mistakes, review changes, and keep everything clean and consistent, leading to smoother workflows and better results.
Acceleration:
You can move faster by working on different parts of a project at the same time, without slowing each other down.
Visibility:
Everyone on the team can see what's been changed, who made the change, and why.
Traceability:
When something is not working, you don't have to worry about going back to check what happened. Every change is recorded and easy to trace.
Branching and Merging:
Version control lets you create a separate version (a "branch") to test new ideas or build features, then merge it back into the main project once it's ready.
Synchronization:
No matter where your team is, version control keeps everyone up to date with the latest files and updates.
Sandboxing:
You have a safe space to experiment and learn. Trying new things doesn't have to come with stress about messing up your main project.
What is Version Control System?
Version control is managed through a tool called a version control system (VCS). This tool works by creating a timeline of your project. Each time you make a change and save it (usually called a "commit"), the system stores that version along with a message describing the update. You can always go back to any previous version if needed.
In most modern systems, your files are stored in a repository (or repo). It is like a folder that holds your entire project history. You can make changes in your working copy (a local version on your computer), and when ready, you can commit those changes to the repository.
Common Types of Version Control Systems
Version control system comes in different forms, each suited to different project needs and team sizes.
Local Version Control:
This is the simplest form, where changes are tracked on your local computer. It leverages a database that stores versions of files, so you can revert changes when necessary. Although it's easy to use, it doesn't support collaboration well since all changes are kept locally without a shared history.
Centralized Version Control (CVCS):
Centralized systems rely on a single central server to store all file versions. Team members check out files from this central place and commit changes back to it. This setup helps you manage and track changes in one spot more easily, but it can create issues if the server goes down or if multiple people try to work on the same files at once.
Distributed Version Control (DVCS):
Distributed systems give every user a full copy of the entire project history on their own machine. This means you can work offline, make commits locally, and sync changes with others when you're ready. DVCS facilitates smoother collaboration, provides enhanced redundancy, and streamlines branching and merging.
What are version control tools?
Given the importance of version control in managing digital projects, version control tools are software applications that help you manage and track changes to files over time.
Among the many options available, three version control tools are especially popular and commonly used in both open-source and professional projects:
Git:
Searching for version control often comes with Git. So, what is the Git system? Git is the leading distributed version control system known for its speed, flexibility, and great branching capabilities. It's open-source and supports offline work. If you wonder, "What is GitHub version control?" Git is the answer. It also powers platforms like GitLab.
Subversion (SVN):
SVN is a centralized version control system that is simple to understand and implement. It's often used in projects where a central repository is preferred, and it provides good support for binary files and fine-grained access control.
Mercurial:
Mercurial is another distributed version control system similar to Git, but is praised for its user-friendly interface and simplicity. It offers strong performance and scalability and is often chosen by teams that want the benefits of distributed version control without some of the complexity that Git can have.
The differences among the version control tools above can be summarized as follows:
Tool
Type
Key Features
Best for
Git
Distributed (DVCS)
Fast, flexible branching and merging, offline support, open-source
Most modern projects, teams of all sizes
SVN
Centralized (CVCS)
Simple setup, centralized control, good binary file handling, fine-grained permissions
Enterprise teams, legacy systems
Mercurial
Distributed (DVCS)
User-friendly interface, easy to learn, scalable, lightweight commands
Teams wanting Git-like power with simpler workflow
Application Section - When/Where to Use Version Control
Where to Use Version Control
Version control is best known for its role in software development. But its usefulness goes far beyond coding. It can also be accessed through different interfaces such as desktop applications with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) or even web-based platforms.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programs
Programs like SourceTree and GitHub Desktop simplify version control by providing a visual interface to manage commits, branches, and merges. They simplify organizing and reviewing changes without using the command line.
Web Browser-Based Applications:
Platforms such as GitLab and Bitbucket support project management directly in the browser. Features like pull requests and commit histories rely on version control to document contributions, coordinate teamwork, and maintain a clear audit trail.
Advanced Collaborative Editors with Version History:
Tools like Google Docs, HackMD, and Microsoft OneDrive automatically record every edit in a detailed version history. This version control functionality enables comparing, restoring, or auditing changes while supporting teamwork.
Common Mistakes in Version Control
Committing sensitive files accidentally
One of the biggest risks in version control is accidentally adding sensitive information such as passwords, API keys, or private data to the repository. Once committed, these details can be exposed publicly, especially in open-source projects.
How to Avoid
Use gitignore files or similar methods to exclude sensitive files and regularly review commits before pushing changes.
Overwriting the main code
If you are carelessly merging or committing changes directly to the main or master branch, it can replace stable code with incomplete or buggy updates. As a result, it will disrupt the workflow and may cause the project to break for others.
How to Avoid
Protect important branches and always review code before merging significant changes.
Ignoring merge conflicts
When difference changes overlap the same part of a file, merge conflicts will happen. If you ignore these conflicts or resolve them incorrectly, it will lead to errors or cause loss of important updates.
How to Avoid
You should handle merge conflicts properly by carefully reviewing all conflicting changes and thoroughly testing before completing the merge.
Poor commit messages
Vague or incomplete messages often happen when developers rush through commits or don't take the time to explain their changes properly. It can confuse other team members and make collaboration more difficult.
How to Avoid
Write messages that clearly describe the change, such as "Fix login button alignment on mobile" instead of vague notes like "update" or "misc changes." Use a consistent format so others can quickly follow the project history.
Practical Demonstration Section - How to Use
Using Version Control For Non-Code Files
By now, you should understand that version control is not for software development. But it is equally important for non-code projects like multimedia editing, including video production. Although these files don't behave like code, they still undergo continuous changes and improvements over time.
Note: Editing is usually non-destructive, meaning changes are saved as instructions rather than changing the original media files.
How to Manage Version Control in Video Production:
For demonstration, we will use easy video editing software like Wondershare Filmora. In Filmora, users can manage version controls in a couple of ways:
Auto-save & backup
Every project is automatically saved at regular intervals. Filmora creates backup copies to protect your work from unexpected crashes or power failures.
Manual versioning
Filmora also provides the option to save multiple versions of your project by creating separate files. You can label each version for easier identification and switch between them whenever necessary.
Version control in Filmora is also useful for users who want to go back to a previous version of the software. Filmora updates its software regularly, adding new features to its already rich toolkit.
However, in some cases, users may prefer using an older version of Filmora. They can do this by visiting the official Filmora website and downloading the installer for a previous version instead.
Saving your project is like creating a version checkpoint. Saving preserves all your edits and settings to keep everything editable and intact when you want to revisit or continue working later. Go to File > Save Project or use Save Project As to create a separate version with a different name.
Step 2
Syncing your project adds an extra layer of protection by backing up your work to the cloud. To enable this, go to File > Preferences, then navigate to the General tab and click Turn on Sync.
Step 3
When you make mistakes, you can roll back to earlier versions through auto-backups. go to File > Preferences > Folder. Here, you can set how frequently backups are created and change the default backup folder location if needed.
Key Terms in Version Control
Basic Components
Repository (Repo):
The central storage location where all versions of files and their history are kept.
Server:
The machine or service that hosts the repository and manages access to it.
Client:
The software used by users to interact with the repository, such as to commit or update files.
Working Copy:
Your local copy of files checked out from the repository that you can edit.
Main/Trunk:
The primary development line or branch where the main version of the project lives.
Core Actions
Add:
The process of including new files into version control tracking.
Revision:
A saved version or snapshot of the files at a certain point.
Head:
The latest revision in the repository's history.
Check Out:
Downloading files from the repository to create or update your working copy.
Check In:
Uploading your changes from the working copy back into the repository.
Changelog/History:
A record of all changes made to the files over time.
Update/Sync:
Bringing your working copy up to date with the latest changes from the repository.
Revert:
Undoing changes in your working copy to match a previous revision.
Advanced Operations
Branch:
Creating a separate line of development to work on features or fixes independently.
Diff/Delta:
A comparison showing differences between two versions of a file.
Merge:
Combining changes from different branches or revisions into one unified version.
Conflict:
When two changes clash and cannot be automatically merged.
Resolve:
The process of fixing conflicts so the changes can be merged.
Lock:
Restricting others from editing a file while you work on it.
Break Lock:
Forcing the removal of a lock if it was left by mistake or abandoned.
Check Out for Edit:
Specifically checking out a file with the intention to modify it, sometimes requiring a lock first.
No, version control is useful for individuals as well. It helps you keep track of changes, experiment safely, and manage different versions of a project, no matter if you're working alone or in teams.
What happens if two people edit the same file?
When two people edit the same file, the version control system detects conflicts during the merge process. You'll need to review the conflicting changes and decide how to combine them properly before finalizing the update.
Do I need to know the command line to use Git?
Not necessarily. Git was originally designed for command-line use, but there are many user-friendly graphical interfaces and tools that make using Git easier without having to understand the command line.
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