Introducing source code management
SCM is a set of practices and tools that developers use to track and manage changes to their source code throughout the lifecycle of software development. SCM is essential for collaboration among developer teams to ensure the ability to revert to previous versions if issues arise with code changes.
Features of source code management
SCM has the following features:
• Version tracking: SCM systems keep a record of every change made to the source code. This includes additions, deletions, and modifications to individual files. Each change is associated with a unique identifier and is known as a commit. A developer can easily view the history of changes made to the files in the codebase.
• Collaboration: A team of developers often work on the same project at the same time. SCM enables collaboration by allowing developers to work with their own local copies of the code
and then later merge their changes back into the central codebase. Historically, the default branch was referred to as the master branch but, more recently, is more commonly referred to as the main branch. This makes it easier for a team to work on the same project, regardless of geographical location.
• Conflict resolution: SCM systems maintain the integrity of the codebase by providing mechanisms to resolve conflicts caused by modifications to the same part of the code made by different developers.
• Revert and rollback: An invaluable feature of a good SCM system is the ability to revert to previous versions of the code. For example, if a new feature implementation introduces a critical bug, developers can quickly roll back to a previous revision.
• Traceability: SCM systems provide traceability by recording who made changes and comments to understand why. This can be used to link code changes to specific issues or requirements.
• Backup and disaster recovery: Although you should also implement proper backups of your filesystems, for small teams or solo developers, the code stored in an SCM system can serve as a backup. In case of data loss or system failure, the project’s source code can be recovered from the SCM system.
Understanding SCM is crucial because it plays a significant role in modern .NET development.
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