Excluding files when checking out from Subversion repository

Question

I work with a subversion repository for a "generic" package that is full of files that shouldn't be there (site-specific files, hacks, etc). I do not have access to change this, and I've been stonewalled when I ask about having it changed on my behalf; I'm now after a workaround.

Is it possible to exclude some files from being checked out (or being pulled out of the repository when updating), so that I can work with some semblance of a clean package?

These files are independent and are not being pulled in by the other "good" files, so there aren't any dependency problems in that regard.

(Please note this is not the usual "How do I stop files from being committed" question answered by svn:ignore. Sorry. :-) )

Answer 1

Sparse directories may help.

Answer 2

It is not possible to exclude files at the time of checkout or update. You could write a script that deletes the unwanted files. When you checkout or update, run this script.

Answer 3

Let me get this straight:

• That these files are checked in is an obvious error.
• You have the access privilege necessary to remove them, but you have to ask whether you are allowed to exercise your access privilege.
• You are forbidden to do a necessary change.

Did I sum up this right?

If I did, then I see two possible reasons for your problem:

1. You are wrong regarding the issue.
2. You are on the wrong job or in the wrong company.

I don't think SVN has a way to fix the problems arising from either of these reasons. (FWIW, I agree with the other answers that it doesn't even have the means to work around them.) To fix this, you would, in the first case, need to have someone explain it to you. (If they won't, see #2.) In the second case, get another job. Soon.