Version control for developers new to version control

Question

I have been writing code for several years now, and our backup strategy was to update the entire code directory every few days and place it somewhere else on your hard drive, or sometimes upload it to some online file hosting service.

Unfortunately, the file hosting service was canceled without notifying me, and we lost years of backup. It comes down to the fact that I finally have to learn how to use version control. The only problems are

• My boss really doesn't like SVN, he tried it and he had a high learning curve (at least his client).
• We need a reliable place to place it (we can pay a reasonable amount).

Can anyone suggest what the best version control system and client for beginners might be that won't be too annoying.

Secondly, what is a remote version control service?

Answer 1

Good user interface and good remote VCS:

• GitHub ( git ): To learn about this DVCS, see Git Dive (and GitHub Help Pages ).
• BitBucket ( mercurial ): for a tutorial on this DVCS, see HgInit .

Answer 2

If your boss thinks that SVN is too steep a learning curve, most likely he will need to pull out and scream in order to use any modern version control system. Perhaps a GUI client like TortoiseSVN will make things more enjoyable?

And remember that version control does not replace the correct backup policy!

Answer 3

I really like SVN if you get a good client. I use "Versions" on a Mac, and that's great. They even had / have a service called "beanstalk" that hosts the SVN. Smart SVN on Windows is not too bad. Turtle is nice if you are looking for integration with Windows file menus.

Secondly, the popular choice these days seems to be "Git."

Answer 4

Compared to copying files and copying them, any version control system will have a learning curve. This is because they provide real value. Your boss will need to understand that he is investing in him something that will be repaid many times.

All serious software developers (and many other types of creators) use the control source as a way to manage and protect their work. This is good and worth it.

Today, SVN is the simplest authoritative control. This is a centralized system, and distributed systems are much more popular, but it seems that a centralized system will work well for you, and you will not stop getting confused in distributed concepts that you do not need.