Google Code and Subversion

Phew. So, many developers, including Flex and ActionScript coders, are starting to use Google Code as their repository of choice. Makes a lot of sense! The only tricky part (at least for me) was figuring out what “Subversion” was. No, it’s not subversive. J At least, I don’t think so.

“What is Subversion? Subversion is a free/open-source version control system. That is, Subversion manages files and directories, and the changes made to them, over time. This allows you to recover older versions of your data, or examine the history of how your data changed. In this regard, many people think of a version control system as a sort of ‘time machine.’”

“…It is a general system that can be used to manage any collection of files. For you, those files might be source code—for others, anything from grocery shopping lists to digital video mixdowns and beyond.”

Pretty cool, right? The only annoying thing, is that it’s a command line utility. So, I ended up adding this (free) program that provides access to SVN using the windows explorer: TortoiseSVN. Specifically, there are a number of new options added to the context (right-click) menu. Download a copy here.