Pragmatic Version Control: Using Subversion (The Pragmatic Starter Kit Series)(2nd Edition) (Paperback)

by Mike Mason (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This book covers the theory behind version control and how it can help developers become more efficient, work better as a team, and keep on top of software complexity. Version control, done well, is your "undo" button for the project: nothing is final, and mistakes are easily rolled back.

This book describes Subversion 1.3, the latest and hottest open source version control system, using a recipe-based approach that will get you up and running quickly and correctly. Learn how to use Subversion the right way-the pragmatic way.

With this book, you can:

• Keep all project assets safe--not just source code--and never run the risk of losing a great idea
• Know how to undo bad decisions--even directories and symlinks are versioned
• Learn how to share code safely, and work in parallel for maximum efficiency
• Install Subversion and organize, administer and backup your repository
• Share code over a network with Apache, svnserve, or ssh
• Create and manage releases, code branches, merges and bug fixes
• Manage 3rd party code safely
• Use all the latest Subversion 1.3 features including locking and path-based security, and much more!

Now there's no excuse not to use professional-grade version control.

About the Author
Mike Mason is a consultant with ThoughtWorks, developing enterprise applications for Global 1000 companies. As a developer, coach, and Agile/XP proponent, he relies on version control best practices to get the job done. Mike has extensive experience of leading version control systems, including Subversion, CVS and Perforce.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf; 2 edition (May 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977616657
• ISBN-13: 978-0977616657
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,415 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Helpful intro but a poor reference, May 17, 2005

By	Raymond Brigleb (Portland, OR, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Pragmatic Version Control Using Subversion (Paperback)

This book really did get me off on the right foot. It provides a helpful perspective that was invaluable to a Subversion beginner. The tone is just right.

However, as I started running into problems, the book fell flat on its face. I couldn't find anything related to my tasks in the index, and there seems to be no coverage of simple concepts like removing directories or groups of files, nor are there any tips and tricks or scripts that might help to maintain my repository. And though there's coverage of a popular Windows GUI client, there's just no help for Mac developers.

I have to give this book three stars. At this price, my hopes were a lot higher.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A straightforward guide for the Subversion beginner, March 1, 2005

By	Michael A. Gunderloy "http://www.larkware.com" (Endicott, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Pragmatic Version Control Using Subversion (Paperback)

Here's a straightforward book with two audiences. First, if you've never actually used version control and you're a bit unsure of why you should and where to start, it provides a gentle introduction to the subject, explaining why this is one of the cornerstones of serious software development. Second, if you are already familiar with version control but thinking of moving to Subversion (particularly if you're already using CVS, the system from which the Subversion designers made their escape) this is the book to get you up and running with a minimum of fuss. The focus is on teaching you how to perform the basic operations that everyone needs to know to use version control efficiently: putting files into a repository, getting them out again, resolving conflicts among multiple developers, handling branches, and so on. You likely won't learn every niggling little detail about Subversion from this book (especially given that it's a program still under active development) but you'll learn plenty enough to get the job done.

After covering the basics of version control and some of the reasons why Subversion is a good choice, Mason shows you how to install things and handle the most basic commands - checking files in and out, and merging changes. He then moves on to larger organizational issues, including tags and branches, multiple repositories, sharing code, and how to handle third-party code. If you've read the earlier Pragmatic Bookshelf title Pragmatic Version Control using CVS you'll find that this book is a port of that one. That is, it includes the same examples, rewritten with Subversion syntax instead of CVS syntax. But it's not always a direct port. The new book is substantially longer than the old one, since Subversion is more flexible, and where Subversion offers a better way to do things than CVS Mason doesn't hesitate to point it out.

You'll also find some coverage here of other topics like using the Windows GUI tool TortoiseSVN, migrating from other systems to Subversion, and setting up Apache to handle Subversion over HTTP. There's a handy listing of commands and recipes at the tail end of the book which provides a fast reference for people who prefer to work at the command line - which, after all, is the most natural environment for Subversion.

Perhaps the best testimonial to the power of Subversion here is that the author convinced the publisher to switch. Pragmatic used to keep book files in a CVS repository. Now they use Subversion. If you're considering making the switch yourself, it's definitely worth picking up a copy of this easy read to help you along the way to success.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Elementary, October 9, 2005

By	M. Patel - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Pragmatic Version Control Using Subversion (Paperback)

I have been using subversion for over a year now. I bought this book after I was some what familiar with svn aka subversion.

I think this book is very good for someone starting off with subversion. The language is pretty good. You can cover this book in just one day!!!

To summarise:
PROS: Simple & Sweet language
Good examples

CONS: Not advanced

I would recommend the free subversion book over this book if you want to learn advanced techniques with subversion.