How to maintain multiple code development paths?

Question

I'm working on an ASP.NET app that uses VSS for source control. WE have a PROD server and TEST server. As things get built, they're published to the TEST server for user testing. Once accepted, they're moved to the PROD server.

I need to work on some new functionality in a sandbox without affecting the existing build in TEST. I don't want what I'm working on to get mixed in with the code base that's TEST code already published because I need to be able to make fixes to TEST code without worrying about what I'm doing in the sandbox.

How do you keep the TEST & sandbox environments exclusive?

Thanks

Answer 1

Making a branch should help. See your source control documentation about that. If you still didn't choose one, I'd recommend git, for it has good specialization in that aspect (though a little higher learning curve).