No matter what kind of software project you’re working on, using a version control system is essential. Version control systems provide a range of benefits that help developers keep track of their code and collaborate with other developers on a project. Here are five of the main benefits of using a version control system.
Easy to Track Changes:
Version control systems make it easy to track changes made to your code. These systems store each version of your code in a repository, and you can compare different versions of the code and see what has changed. This can be especially helpful for debugging and resolving conflicts between different versions of the code.
Improved Collaboration:
Version control systems make it easy for multiple developers to collaborate on a project. Each developer can have their own copy of the code, and they can commit their changes to the repository. This makes it easy for other developers to review and accept the changes.
Easier to Roll Back Changes:
If you make a mistake in your code, version control systems make it easy to roll back to a previous version of the code. This can save you a lot of time and effort, as you won’t have to manually undo any changes you’ve made.
Increased Reliability:
Version control systems ensure that your code is always backed up and secure. If something happens to your computer, you can easily restore your code from the repository. This makes it much less likely that you’ll lose any of your work.
Better Organization:
Version control systems help you keep your code organized. You can create branches for different features or bug fixes, and you can easily switch between different branches. This makes it much easier to keep your code organized and maintainable.
Overall, using a version control system can provide a range of benefits for developers. Not only does it make it easier to track changes and collaborate with other developers, but it also increases the reliability and organization of your code. If you’re not already using a version control system, it’s definitely worth considering.
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Top comments (5)
While all very true, I have to wonder who on this planet is in any kind of IT project that has more than a few days effort invested in it and is not using a VCS already. It's a no brainer, the IT equivalent of wearing a seatbelt...
The big question, I find, on most casual projects that I begin, is: At what point is my first commit? At what point is the proof of concept settled or so rich already that it's time to start tracking?
But as noted earlier, my threshold around a day or two of effort ... typically.
When to commit? With git -- my answer is right away and often.
I've never regretted having code in a commit --- only regretted losing something that was never there.
I suspect what keeps many people from committing more often is vanity -- the concern that someone will see the mess. (No one should have that concern in a healthy environment.)
That's fair too. We all have different thresholds and timings. But immediate commitment implies you're always sure you'd on a keeper. I tend to tinker a bit and try things out and it's not until I'm confident I have a goer to run with that I think, "OK, time to commit". Until then, there isn't much to accidentally lose anyhow.
I tinker too and refactor and toss lots of code along the way. Sometimes it surprises me what I keep -- or restore. So, I don't bother trying to predict the future -- I just save the present and keep moving forward.
I agree with Bernd. Who isn't using SCM? Now it may be more relevant to ask who isn't using CICD, but SCM, you'd have to be pretty green not to use it. It is incorporated into every IDE I work with.