09.07.2004
Superversion: Version Control for Gourmets
Superversion is a single-user version control software. It features a graphical user interface and focuses on efficency and ease-of-use. Written in Java and distributed via Java WebStart, Superversion runs on every major platform (tested on Windows, Linux and OS/2).
So, Howzzat Different?
Traditional version control systems such as CVS treats each file separately thus offering little, to no, tight relation between files. On the other hand, Superversion is based on changes and change sets. A change could mean:
Creation, deletion or modification of an individual file
A collection of changes to multiple files
A change set (an aggregation of changes or change sets)
The reverse of another change or change set
In summary, if you are working on a one-person project, and time is of essence, then Superversion could be just that handy version control tool that you are looking for.
So, What's Lacking?
The 'Help' feature can be an annoyance for newbies trying to set up Superversion for the first time. Also, if you are doing distributed development and are looking at merging files from multiple locations, then Superversion is probably not the right tool for the job. Having said that, the roadmap for Superversion is encouraging and promises to remedy most of these drawbacks. With a beta being rolled out, almost every other week (thanks to Stefan Reich), Superversion is a Version Control tool worth keeping an eye on.
New Features in Superversion beta 5
Individual files can be commented. The idea is that you comment a file
immediately after you changed it. It is then marked as "Commented". When you
edit the file again, the "Commented" marker disappears, indicating that you
should probably update the comment. When you are ready for committing the
next change set, the file comments can guide you in writing the change set
description. Note that this procedure is completely optional; if you don"t
want to use file comments, just ignore the comment column and you won"t be
bothered.
There is a history-wide fulltext search. The user interface is still
somewhat rough, and searching can take a while. Even though, I think this can
be a handy tool at times. The search result window even shows you when the
search pattern first appeared in a file as well as when it disappeared
(because the file was changed or deleted)!
You can export individual files in the state inspector. So far, the only way
to do this was to use copy&paste or the zip export function.
Binary files are handled better in conflicts; Superversion just reports an
unsolvable conflict and no longer tries to merge the files (which would only
result in digital garbage).
What next?
Superversion 1.0 Beta 5 is very stable, largely feature-complete and suitable for everyday use. So, if you liked it, Click here to download (size approx. 2MB). If necessary, install Java Webstart 1.4. If you want to be in loop, on the releases, or request for new features, join the Superversion mailing list.
[dt]
