Version Control System

There are many problems that are faced by a multinational organization. These problems are the backup of data, storing several versions of files and collaboration of employees. All these problems are essential for the company. So to resolve this problem, version control system was introduced. In this article, we are going to learn about the version control system and its benefits.

Before knowing about version control systems, let us take an example of a situation. Suppose there is a multinational organization present worldwide. It also has some employees. So there are some challenges that are faced by the organization. Such challenges are as follows:

What Is Version Control?

Version control is a system that records the changes made to a file. The Version control system deal with the software that looks after the source code. This software records all the changes made to the version of the project. Another responsibility of the version control system is that it connects all the employees on one page. It also checks that weather all the employee works on the latest version of the file or not. And the most important thing is that it checks whether all the employees work on the same project or not. With the help of version control, the developer can cross-check the older version of the project and correct their mistake.

Challenges of Version Control System

1. Collaboration

The organization has employees, and these employees are situated in different places. So they may need the communication for a particular reason. 

2. Storing Versions

The project has many versions, and the organization needs to save all the versions of the project. This is a challenge for the organization.

3. Restoring Previous Versions

Sometimes we need the previous version of the project to detect the roots of the bugs in the current version of the project. 

4. Figure out What Happened

Sometimes it is complicated to find out what changes were made in the previous version of the project.

5. Backup

If the hard disk gets corrupted, then all the backup of the project is lost, and all the efforts go in vain. 

The solution for all the above challenges is the version control system. With the help of the version control system, all the challenges of a multinational organization are solved. With the use of version control, we can take the backup of projects remotely, and many more things are possible with the help of a Version control system. 

Benefits of the Version Control System

The Version control system is becoming beneficial to all software developers. It is very unsafe to develop the software without the old version of it. It provides a better interface for software developers. There are some benefits of the Version control system. The benefits are as follows.

1. Managing and Protecting the Source Code-

The version control system can look after the software by tracking all the modifications done by the software developer. It provides the support of protection to all the source code from unauthorized access. 

2. Comparing Earlier Versions of the Code-

All the version of the project is saved. With the help of a version control system, the developer can compare the current and old versions to rectify their bugs.

Below is some best version control system that is available on the market. 

a) GitHub.

b) GitLab.

c) Perforce.

d) Beanstalk.

e) AWS CodeCommit.

f) Apache Subversion.

g) Team Foundation Server.

h) Mercurial.

i) Bitbucket.

j) Concurrent version control.

Types of Version Control System

Depending on the needs of the client, the version control system is divided into three types. These are as follows.

1. Localized Version Control System 

2, Centralized version control systems

3. Distributed version control systems

1. Localized Version Control System-

The Localized version Control System method is famous for its simplicity. But in this method, there is a high chance of error. In this method, also the developer may forget in which directory they are working. To overcome this issue, the developer set up a local version Control System which has a simple database. This database is used to keep all the information of the changed file. The version Control System also kept a duplicate copy of all the versions of the file for backup. It has only one disadvantage it has a single-point failure. 

2. Centralized version control systems -

Sometimes the developer needs to collaborate with other developers to work on a particular project. The local version Control System can not perform this work perfectly. To overcome this problem, the developer develops centralized version control systems. In this system, there is a single server for all the systems where all the files are saved in that single server. There are some benefits of centralized version control systems. These benefits are as follows.

• Due to a single server, all the employees know what other employees are doing on the project.
• The administrator can control the work of all the developers.
• It is very easy to deal with Centralized version control systems in comparison to local version Control systems.

It also has the same disadvantages as the local version Control System: single-point failure. 

 3. Distributed version control systems-

In Centralized version control systems, the server store all the versions of files and collaboration of teams. But due to its singleton failure. So to overcome this problem, the developers develop Distributed version control systems. 

In a Distributed version control system, the server creates a duplicate copy of all the versions of the files. The local server contains all the duplicate copies of the version file and metadata that are present in the central server. Distributed version control systems it has a feature of automatic management of merging and branching. It speeds up all the processes in the system. With the help of Distributed version control systems, we can perform our work offline, and all the backup files are not stored in a single location. If one server gets fails, then another server can take the place of that failed server so that the developers do not face any trouble. At every checkpoint, the data backup takes place. In Distributed version control systems, all the systems do not depend on the central server for the old data version. 

Difference between Centralized Version Control System and Distributed Version Control System in Tabular Form

The Centralized Version Control system works on the client-server principle. In Centralized Version Control Systems, many clients can connect with the main server. But the Distributed Version Control System works on peer-to-peer architecture. Both centralized and distributed version control systems have many drawbacks and benefits. Below is the difference between both centralized and distributed version control systems.

Centralized Version Control System	Distributed Version Control System
1. In the Centralized Version Control System, all the old versions and data are saved on one server and delivered that data to many clients.	1. In Distributed Version Control System, every user has a local copy instead of one main server.
2. Centralized Version Control System follows client-server principle.	2. Distributed Version Control System follow peer to peer principle.
3. it is a straightforward system.	3. it is flexible in nature
4. In a Centralized Version Control System, the server provides all the updated versions of files to the client.	4. In Distributed Version Control System, every user can check their updated file by the local server.
5. Centralized Version Control System is a slow process in comparison with Distributed Version Control System.	5. Distributed Version Control System is a speedy process compared to a centralized Version Control System.
6. SVN (Subversion) and CVS are the most popular tools of the Centralized Version Control System.	6. Git and Mercurial are the most important tools of Distributed Version Control systems.
7. The Centralized Version Control System is easy for beginners to understand.	7. Distributed Version Control System is complicated to understand for beginners.
8. In a Centralized Version Control System, if the main server stops, then the whole work stops.	8. In Distributed Version Control System, if one server fails, then it can not affect the whole work.

Conclusion

While it is possible to develop software without using any version control, doing so subjects the project to a huge risk that no professional team would be advised to accept.