How to Integrate Different Distributed Version Control Systems for Better Development Workflows
In today’s fast-paced development environments, flexibility is key. Many professionals find themselves in situations where they have to operate on different version control systems simultaneously. One common scenario is having a central system that cannot be modified while wanting to maintain a separate, local development environment. In particular, when using legacy systems like Source Safe 2005, developers often struggle with limited capabilities for local version control.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into how you can set up a local source control repository that works in tandem with a central Source Safe server, allowing for a more stable development process and greater flexibility in managing client requirements without complex hurdles.
The Problem at Hand
Imagine you’re working in an office where the established protocol includes using Source Safe 2005 for source control, but your work involves diverse projects that may require different version control systems due to client requests. Your goal is to:
- Maintain a local stable branch/build for client presentations.
- Continue developing features and fixing bugs without interference.
- Utilize a different version control system that your clients may prefer.
With Version Control Systems being so essential to modern development, achieving this setup is crucial.
A Viable Solution: Using Distributed Version Control Systems
To bridge the gap between your local development needs and the central Source Safe system, you can effectively use a combination of open-source tools. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:
Step 1: Convert Source Safe to Subversion
- Use vss2svn: This tool can help you migrate your Source Safe (VSS) repository to a Subversion (SVN) repository. This is crucial since Git works smoothly with SVN, making it easier to manage your local changes.
- Resources: You can find more on this process on vss2svn’s wiki.
Step 2: Set Up a Local Git Repository
- Utilize git-svn: Once you have your Source Safe repository converted to Subversion, you can leverage the git-svn command to create a local Git repository that can pull changes from your Subversion setup.
- Why Git?: Git is known for its efficiency and flexibility, allowing you to work offline and commit changes at your convenience.
Step 3: Syncing Back to Source Safe
- Commits Back to VSS: Be aware that while pulling changes into Git is manageable, pushing back changes to the Source Safe repository might not be as seamless. You may need to devise a manual or semi-automated process for this, ensuring careful management of your commits.
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined above, you can create a more efficient workflow that allows for local development without conflicts and maintains a link to your central Source Safe repository. While the process may require some initial setup, the benefits of having a robust and flexible version control solution will pay off by enabling smoother projects and easier client collaborations.
Key Takeaway
By converting your existing Source Safe repository to Subversion and leveraging Git, you achieve the much-needed flexibility and stability in managing your local and central repositories—even when working with conflicting version control systems.
With this approach, you’ll not only address the immediate challenges but also enhance your overall development productivity. Happy coding!