I have an SVN repository. Over time, as I edit, modify, change, etc, some files are made redundant/unwanted.
What's the best practice: to delete the files from SVN, or just to zero the files out? Or is there a third option that I'm missing?
Thanks.
+11
A:
If you delete unneeded files from Subversion, they are still available in the history. They don't disappear forever. So I would "svn rm" them.
Greg Hewgill
2008-10-17 20:47:06
+4
A:
Delete the file(s):
svn remove <file>
The files will not be permanently removed from the repository, just removed from the HEAD revision.
JesperE
2008-10-17 20:47:19
+1
A:
Committing an empty file would still leave the file to annoy you, just minus any content. svn rm is the way to go.
Andy Lester
2008-10-17 21:01:54
A:
As subversion comes out with new releases you may want to do a full repository export(instead of a backup or hotcopy). Install the new release and then do a full repository import.
This will start your revision numbers over and you will loose all history before that export.
J.J.
2008-10-17 21:02:25
@eyelidlessness: can you be more specific as to what your huhing.
J.J.
2008-10-18 05:58:08
This doesn't seem to have anything to do with the question.
KeithB
2008-10-19 22:51:52
@KeithB: I am offering the 3rd option. It has everything to do with his question. To permanently delete his files. he can do an export and create a new repository, then import what he exported. I prefer to do this between point releases. There are draw backs, which I also note.
J.J.
2008-10-20 16:56:25
This means you're throwing away all other history with it. I would recommend against this in 99.9% of all use-cases
Sander Rijken
2008-10-27 18:15:24
Yes Sander is right you are throwing away ALL of the history. You can keep backups in case of emergencies, but this is a nightmare to keep up with.
J.J.
2008-10-29 03:10:36