Jan 18, 2023 / Securium Solutions
Source Code Management, also known as version control, is the practice of tracking and managing changes to software code. It allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously, while also keeping a record of all changes made to the code. In this blog post, we will discuss what is SCM, how it works, its benefits, and the tools used for SCM.
What is Source Code Management?
It is the process of keeping track of all changes made to the codebase of a software project. This includes not only the source code itself but also any associated files, such as documentation or images. Source code management systems allow multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously, without the risk of overwriting each other’s changes.
How it works?
The basic principle behind source code management is that it keeps a record of all changes made to the codebase. This is done by creating a repository, which is a central location where all code and associated files are stored. Developers can then “check out” the code from the repository, make changes, and “check in” their changes.
The system keeps track of all changes, and allows developers to see who made a particular change and when it was made. It also allows developers to “roll back” to a previous version of the code, in case a change causes problems.
Benefits of Source Code Management:-
There are many benefits to using SCM. One of the most important is that it allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously, without the risk of overwriting each other’s changes. This can greatly speed up development time, and make it easier to coordinate the work of a large development team.
It is also makes it easy to revert to a previous version of the code, in case a change causes problems. This can save a lot of time and effort, and minimize the risk of introducing bugs into the codebase.
Another benefit is that it provides a clear history of the development of a project. This can be useful for identifying the source of bugs or understanding how a particular feature was implemented.
Tools used for Source Code Management
There are many different tools available for SOM. Some of the most popular include:
Git:
Git is an open-source distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency.
SVN:
SVN is a centralized version control system, which means that all the files and revisions are stored in a central location, and developers “check out” and “check-in” their changes.
Mercurial:
Mercurial is a distributed version control system, which is similar to Git. It also allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously, without the risk of overwriting each other’s changes.
In conclusion, SCM is an essential practice for any software development project. It allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously, while also keeping a record of all changes made to the code. With the benefits it offers and the various tools available for its implementation, source code management is a must-have for any organization or individual working on software development projects.
