What is Subversion?

Subversion is a free/open-source version control system. That is, Subversion manages files and directories over time. A tree of files is placed into a central repository. The repository is much like an ordinary file server, except that it remembers every change ever made to your files and directories. This allows you to recover older versions of your data, or examine the history of how your data changed. In this regard, many people think of a version control system as a sort of time machine.

Subversion can access its repository across networks, which allows it to be used by people on different computers. The ability for various people to modify and manage the same set of data from their respective locations fosters collaboration. Progress can occur more quickly without a single conduit through which all modifications must occur. And because the work is versioned, you need not fear that quality is the trade-off for losing that conduit. If some incorrect change is made to the data, just undo that change.

Why is ASPCS using Subversion?

Once the manuscript has been submitted to ASPCS, the editors are no longer the only people working on the volume. The ASPCS staff oftentimes aids the editors with the final touches of getting the manuscript ready for printing. This can lead to inconsistencies in the manuscript as changes are made by multiple people.

Subversion can be a great tool in avoiding these inconsistencies. Editors and ASPCS staff are able to check out a copy of the manuscript to work on and make changes. When changes have been made, they can then be committed to the repository. Eeveryone else working on the manuscript can see what changes have been made and can also incorporate them into their working copy as well by updating their copy to match the copy in the repository.

How do I get and use Subversion?

Subversion is available for all common platforms (Linux, Windows, Mac, etc.). If Subversion is not already installed on your computer, then open the following page to download the version of Subversion to match the platform you are using.

http://subversion.tigris.org/project_packages.html

Your local computer support technicians can aid you in the installation of this software if you are unsure about how to proceed.

There are many resources on how to use Subversion. We have provided a quick “crash” course on the basic commands that you will need to know at http://aspcs-linux.byu.edu/svn-crash-course.php. There is also a cheat sheet available at http://www.abbeyworkshop.com/howto/misc/svn01/. For those wanting an in-depth view and instructions of Subversion, an online book is available at http://svnbook.red-bean.com/.