Source Control Management

Have you heard the term Source Control Management before? It's okay if not, because in this blog we are going to cover the important terms and concepts which require to know about Source Control Management. Let's get started.

What is Source Control Management?

In short, SCM. When it comes to Software Development, SCM plays a vital role to ensure efficient collaboration, version control and tracking of code changes. SCM is also known as Version Control System (VCS) which means software or a technique which enables developers to manage and track changes made to source code files.

It provides a centralized repository to store code, facilitating collaboration, versioning and seamless coordination among development teams. It is like a guardian of the source code, preserving its integrity and history.

Why it is so important?

1. Code Integrity and Safety: It protects the integrity and safety of source code. It prevents accidental code loss, enforces code review processes and facilitates backup and recovery mechanisms.
2. branching and Parallel Development: It enables developers to create branches, allowing them to work on isolated code and after testing their code they can finally merge into the main centralized repository and perform further tasks like system testing and deployment.
3. Version Control: It provides the ability to track and manage different versions of source code files. SCM allows developers to revert back to the previous versions, compare changes between changes and maintain a comprehensive history of code changes.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork: it allows multiple developers to work on the same codebase (as discussed before)

Types of SCM

Centralized SCM:

Centralized SCM revolves around a single central repository that serves as the authoritative source for the project's codebase.

• Single Point of Truth
• With a single source of truth for the project's codebase ensuring consistency and reducing the risk of conflicts.
• Strict Access Control
• With permissions granted to specific users or teams, this governance ensures that only authorized individuals can make changes.
• Simplified Collaboration
• Centralized SCM promotes collaboration by providing a shared location where developers can share their code changes and keep track of others' contributions.

Decentralized SCM:

It is the same as the Centralizes SCM, but the major difference is that there will be a master repository in which the final code will be submitted. In this, every developer creates a copy of that code and works on it. Developers may create changes but these are locally committed. These can be merged with the master repository, but only the changes will be added to the master repository.

So that there will be no such practice to remove all the old code and add the same new one with few changes.

It helps in reducing the redundancy.

Most used Version Controls

Git:

1. Most of the people in the industry use this version control in their organizations. It is beginner friendly, simple in UI and commands, collaborative, faster and many other features made Git be used by most developers.

Bitbucket

1. It is also a version control system application, which is made by Atlassian. A few powerful features like integration with Jira, built-in issue tracker, Trello integration, code review system, etc make it stand out from the Git version control system.

What do the Numbers represent in Version

have you ever seen the version of any software? It would be like 2.3.2.3 or something like this, right?

But, what do they represent? Let us try to understand them in a simple manner. There are four digits in the version numbers.

A.B.C.D

A -> Major Change

B -> Minor Change

C -> Build Change

D -> Revision Number

Like, every year Android or Apple releases their new version of the Operating System, this is mentioned as A. If there is a bug or something issue in the new release they work on it and release the new version in which the bug can be fixed or the issue, new features addition as well gets solved this represents the B.

Build and Revision are the minor changes like patchwork or any other related to enhancing the software work and providing security updates etc.

SCM in Agile and DevOps

SCM in Agile methodology

In Agile development, SCM plays a crucial role in supporting iterative and incremental software delivery. It ensures version control, collaboration, and traceability, facilitating the rapid development and delivery of high-quality software.

SCM in DevOps

DevOps relies heavily on SCM principles and practices to enable seamless collaboration, continuous integration, and continuous delivery. SCM, integrated with automation and orchestration tools, ensures faster and more reliable software deployments, reducing time-to-market and enhancing overall product quality.

Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment (CD/CD)

SCM is a foundational element in achieving continuous delivery and continuous deployment. It ensures that code changes are continuously integrated, tested, and deployed to production environments, enabling frequent releases and faster value delivery to end users.

Conclusion

Source Control Management is a fundamental aspect of modern software development. It enables teams to collaborate effectively, track code changes, and ensure the stability and quality of software products. By selecting the right SCM tool, implementing best practices, and integrating it with Agile and DevOps methodologies, organizations can streamline their development processes, reduce risks, and enhance productivity.

The future of SCM holds exciting possibilities, driven by advancements in distributed systems, automation, and cloud-native technologies. Choosing the right SCM tool and adopting best practices will remain essential for successful software development in the ever-evolving technological landscape.