Best Source Code Management Software (2024) for version control

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Version control tools, which are sometimes called source code management tools, are very important in the process of making software because they make it possible for people to work together and keep track of the code. These tools, like Git or SVN, are essential for developers because they let them work on projects with their coworkers without any problems.

Picture a busy workshop where many skilled workers are at work on a single beauty, each adding their own special touch. Version control tools are like the workshop’s careful record-keeper; they carefully record every change and tweak that is made to the project. Developers can make “branch” offices, which are like artists’ studios, where they can try new things without affecting the main project. These branches are like separate boards where developers can paint their new ideas and inventions before putting them back into the main work of art.

When it’s time to put all of these separate strokes together, developers send out a “Pull” request, which is a digital call for their peers to look over their changes. It’s like getting together around the workshop table and looking over every brushstroke to make sure it fits with the big picture. This way of working together makes sure that the end product shows off the skills and ideas of everyone on the team.

Which is a source code management tool?

Users can keep a record of all the modifications that have been made to the source code of an application with the assistance of a source code management tool. Also, it may be utilised for testing and deploying codes, which is another usage for it.

Best Source Code Management Software Comparison Table

It’s hard to keep track of all the changes made to source code when different developers work on it at the same time. Also, as development projects get bigger, it gets harder for everyone to work together on them because each worker works on a different part of a file. This could cause files to cross and make it hard to keep track of different versions of the files.

eature	GitLab	Bazaar	Mercurial	Apache Subversion (SVN)	Monotone
Hosted or Self-hosted?	Both	Self-hosted	Both	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Distributed or Centralized?	Distributed	Distributed	Distributed	Centralized	Distributed
Branching and Merging	Flexible, efficient branching and merging	Easy branching, advanced merging	Efficient branching and merging	Simple branching, complex merging	Flexible branching, complex merging
Performance	High performance, scales well	Good performance, lightweight	High performance, efficient	High performance, mature	Moderate performance, lightweight
Security	Strong access control, role-based permissions	Good access control	Strong access control, encryption options	Moderate access control	Flexible access control, encryption options
Community and Support	Large and active community, extensive documentation	Active community, good documentation	Large and active community, extensive documentation	Very large and active community, mature documentation	Smaller community, good documentation

Best Source Code Management Software

Source code management tools, on the other hand, let you make source code repositories, keep track of changes made to them, test and release codes, fix bugs in software, and more. With these tools, it’s easier to keep track of the changes that each worker makes and see if there are any problems that need to be fixed. This makes it less likely that code will be overwritten.

GitLab

Feature	Description
Version Control	Git repository management
Issue Tracking	Track issues and bugs
CI/CD Pipeline	Automated testing and deployment
Wiki	Collaborative documentation platform
Merge Requests	Review and merge code changes with ease
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GitLab has proven to be a vital tool for our DevOps operations due to its ability to streamline them. As a result of its smooth integration of a Git repository manager with capabilities such as continuous integration and continuous delivery, issue tracking, and container registration, our team’s communication has become extremely efficient. It doesn’t matter if we’re submitting code, tracking bugs, or managing containers; GitLab offers a uniform platform that streamlines our workflows and increases our productivity.

Bazaar

Feature	Description
Distributed VCS	Decentralized version control system
Lightweight	Minimal setup and configuration required
Plugin Support	Extend functionality with various plugins
Branching	Efficient branching and merging
Compatibility	Works across different platforms and networks

The version control system that we have implemented has also included the use of Bazaar, or bzr as it is more popularly known. Bazaar, which was developed by Canonical Ltd., has proven to be exceptionally helpful for our team because to its decentralised structure and flexible branching architecture.

This is especially true when we are working with multiple operating systems for our projects. Our capacity to cooperate on projects in a fluid manner has been made possible by its versatility, regardless of the platforms that we are using.

Mercurial

Feature	Description
Distributed VCS	Distributed version control system like Git
Scalability	Handles large repositories with ease
Built-in Tools	Includes useful built-in tools like hgweb and hgk
Extension System	Extend functionality through a robust extension system
Stability	Emphasis on stability and data integrity

Adding Mercurial, sometimes known as hg, to our toolkit has proven to be another beneficial addition. Mercurial, which was developed by Matt Mackall, has become a popular choice among teams like ours, which carry out a variety of projects using a variety of programming languages and technologies.

Mercurial’s lightweight design and extensive language support have made it an ideal choice. We have been able to properly manage our codebase thanks to its simplicity and versatility, regardless of the level of complexity of the project that we are now working on.

Apache Subversion (SVN)

Feature	Description
Centralized VCS	Centralized version control system like CVS
File Locking	Lock files to prevent concurrent edits
Atomic Commits	Ensure all changes in a commit are applied or none
Branching	Support for lightweight and directory branches
Authentication	Secure access control with various authentication modes

The Apache Subversion (SVN) version management system has also established a home for itself within our ecosystem. Numerous businesses rely on the centralised method of Subversion Version Control (SVN), which was developed by the Apache Foundation, since it provides a mature feature set that is reliable and stable.

For teams like ours, which place a high priority on these characteristics in version control, Subversion Version Control (SVN) has proven to be a reliable option, particularly for projects that are best served by a centralised model.

Monotone

Feature	Description
Peer-to-Peer VCS	Decentralized version control system like Git
Integrity	Focus on data integrity and cryptographic verification
Secure	Built-in security features like cryptographic keys
Branching	Flexible branching and merging capabilities
Scalability	Scales well with large repositories

The novel approach to version control that Monotone, which was designed by Ian Jackson, takes has piqued our interest. Due to its one-of-a-kind data format as well as its support for a wide range of programming languages and technologies, it has become an appealing choice for groups who are looking for new strategies to implement version control.

The fact that we have not yet completely included Monotone into our workflow does not change the fact that we are keeping an eye on it as we investigate new ways to improve our version control procedures.

Importance of Using Source Code Management Software

Using Source Code Management (SCM) software is crucial for several reasons:

1. Version Control: SCM software enables developers to track changes to source code over time. It provides version control functionality, allowing developers to store, manage, and retrieve different versions of files, directories, and projects. This ensures that changes can be tracked, compared, and reverted as needed, facilitating collaboration and reducing the risk of code conflicts and errors.
2. Collaboration: SCM software supports collaboration among developers by providing a centralized repository for storing and sharing source code. It enables multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously, manage concurrent edits, and merge changes together seamlessly. This fosters teamwork, accelerates development, and improves code quality.
3. Backup and Recovery: SCM software serves as a centralized backup for source code, ensuring that code changes are safely stored and can be recovered in case of data loss or system failures. It provides mechanisms for creating backups, restoring previous versions, and recovering from errors or disasters, minimizing the risk of data loss and downtime.
4. Traceability and Auditing: SCM software provides a complete audit trail of all changes made to source code, including who made the changes, when they were made, and why they were made. This traceability enables developers to understand the history of code changes, track the evolution of projects over time, and comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
5. Branching and Merging: SCM software supports branching and merging workflows, allowing developers to create branches to work on new features or bug fixes independently of the main codebase. Branches can be merged back into the main branch when changes are complete, enabling developers to manage parallel development efforts and release cycles effectively.
6. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): SCM software integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated testing, building, and deployment of software applications. It allows developers to trigger automated workflows based on code changes, ensuring that new code is tested, integrated, and deployed rapidly and reliably.
7. Code Review: SCM software facilitates code review processes by providing tools for reviewing, commenting on, and approving code changes. It enables developers to collaborate on code reviews, identify issues, provide feedback, and ensure that code changes meet quality standards before being merged into the main codebase.

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