Individual programmer interested in version control for the first time.

+6 A:

Usually I recommend either GIT or SVN. If you use Windows, SVN may be a better option (I believe the GIT binaries are still in beta for Windows, and the SVN clients are better). I'd also recommend registering for a hosted version system (such as github or beanstalk). Most services offer a free option, and will provide far better data replication than an any individual could create. Lastly, check out a GUI client (such as Tortise SVN) or check for integrations with the IDE you use for editing code.

Kevin Sylvestre 2010-06-12 02:52:55

Git is worth learning. Works great on Windows; has for a long time. No IDE integration required.

Jay 2010-06-12 03:14:17

Good to know. I use GIT on my Mac also without any problems. IDE integration is a nice to have for beginners (and in general).

Kevin Sylvestre 2010-06-12 03:34:22

If you use SVN, definitely get the SVK toolkit to enhance it. You get almost all the distributed functionality you get in git. As for the "far-better-data-replication" comment above, that's taking the github/beanstalk/gitorious folks at blind faith.

Chris Kaminski 2010-06-12 04:13:36

Very few developers will be able to implement the same data redundancy policies that these services offer (especially those just setting up version control for the first time). I know that git hub offers tri-server redundancy with offsite backups and beanstalk offers redundancy and offsite backups. Finally, you can keep your own copies if you are hyper-paranoid. It seems like your blind faith comment is a blind accusation...

Kevin Sylvestre 2010-06-12 04:44:57

From a client perspective, Git is perfectly useable and stable enough for production use on Windows - we've been using it for the last 6 months or so with no issues. For ease of use, combine it with a client like SmartGit or Git Extensions.

FrederikB 2010-06-12 07:43:21

+2 A:

Last question first: what language you're using doesn't really matter. Even for text documents, Word documents, etc., a source control system will keep track of your versions.

As for which one to use, there are a number of free ones available, that require different levels of administration and expertise. If you're mostly comfortable with Windows programs, SourceGear licenses their Vault product free for single users.

Open source repositories are also not uncommon. Subversion is widely used, but does require a fair amount of server administration expertise.

jwismar 2010-06-12 02:53:13

Unless you use something like [Tortoise SVN](http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/), which can use a file-system-based repository.

Michael Todd 2010-06-12 03:01:54

One of the beautiful bits about Subversion is that you can set it up as a webdav interface, so it can double as sort of a Sharepoint-type clone for your desktop users, with almost no extra effort.

Chris Kaminski 2010-06-12 04:15:09

+1 A:

Go with something like http://beanstalkapp.com

SVN is probably more conceptually easy to understand than Git, and it has more users - hence more tools and easier to find help.

jayrdub 2010-06-12 02:54:33

+3 A:

The tutorial at http://hginit.com/ covers a lot of ground regarding the concepts behind version control, specifically distributed version control. Mercurial is the focus of the tutorial, but the concepts extend to git as well, and to other SCMs to a small degree.

My biggest recommendation is just to start using some version control, right now. It'll change the way you work--honestly.

(full disclosure: I work for Fog Creek, the sponsor of the hginit tutorial)

kevingessner 2010-06-12 03:03:23

+1 A:

For an individual, Bazaar in Solo mode is very easy to use. Later if you want a multi-user configuration, other "workflows" are possible.

M. S. B. 2010-06-12 03:07:11

+1 A:

I'd recommend Subversion (SVN) using the Red Bean Subversion book as a guide. Start with Appendix A, then go through chapters 1, 2 at least.

This is my recommendation primarily because it is how I started with version control, not because I think SVN is better than other version control systems.

I agree with Kevin Gessner just start using something and feel the change wash over you!

Robert 2010-06-12 03:10:29

A:

We use Mercurial. It is fast.

2010-06-12 03:10:43

A:

Git, Mercurial, or Bazaar

programble 2010-06-12 03:21:03

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Individual programmer interested in version control for the first time.

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