Using Source Control

In our industry, we are highly dependent on storage devices in order to save our data. With the growing need for technology, we also need more storage. While working in a team, we share our code by making use of ‘Source Control’ to access the code from anywhere at any point of time and keep track of the modified files (versions) by using commits.

An individual team member can make a copy of the project on his/her PC and can work on it locally. Once the code is ready to be moved to the main repository, the source control helps in tracking the modified files (versions).

One of the widely used version control software is git. Each user needs to have a git account with a password and a private key.

We can create separate (multiple) branches on the local system and whatever we modify on the local branch is not reflected on the main (master) branch until we push it. Sometimes, conflicts might occur while merging the various branches, which can be fixed just by keeping the code that is required and deleting the unwanted code manually from the particular file.

Some of the advantages of using Source Control are:

• Allows comparison of files, identifying the differences, and merging the final change that took place.
• Keeps track of the versions.
• Multiple developers can work on a project at the same time.
• Saves time in identifying the issues.
• We can also check who has worked on the modified file (using blame command).
• Cloning of the repository is easy.
• It also keeps logs of the files previously committed.
• Making a patch for a small fix.

It is necessary for any organization to maintain a Source Control in order to retain the project data in the future and smooth flow of the projects.

Shaunak Kundaiker