Apache Subversion (SVN) Basics

Apache Subversion (often abbreviated as SVN) is a centralized version control system. It is an open-source tool used by software developers and other professionals to manage and track changes to files, such as source code, web pages, and documentation. At its core, SVN operates on a client-server model. A single, central repository stores all versioned files and their complete history. Users “check out” a copy of the files they need from this repository to a local working directory, make their changes, and then “commit” those changes back to the central server.

Difference between SVN and Git?

FeatureGitApache SVN
ArchitectureDistributedCentralized
RepositoryEvery developer has a full, local copy of the entire repository and its history.There is a single, central repository. Developers check out a working copy of a specific directory or file.
Offline WorkFully supported. You can commit, branch, and merge locally without a network connection.Limited. Most operations (commit, update) require a connection to the central server.
BranchingBranches are lightweight and fast. They are simply pointers to a commit, making it easy to create, switch, and delete branches.Branches are created as subdirectories inside the repository. This can make branching and merging more cumbersome and slower.
CommitsCommits are local first, then you push them to a remote repository.Commits are sent directly to the central server.
File TrackingTracks content changes (snapshots). Renaming and moving files is done implicitly by Git.Tracks files and directories. You must explicitly tell SVN when you move, copy, or rename a file.
Binary FilesCan be slow with large binary files that change often, as the entire file is stored in each version.Handles large binary files more efficiently as it stores only the differences (deltas) for each version.
Learning CurveHas a steeper learning curve due to a more complex and flexible workflow.Generally considered easier to learn because of its simpler, centralized model.

SVN commands

Here are some crucial SVN commands, what they do, and their Git alternatives.

  1. svn checkout

    • Explanation: Creates a local working copy from a repository. It’s the first step to start working on a project.
    • Git Alternative: git clone

  2. svn update

    • Explanation: Fetches the latest changes from the repository and merges them into your local working copy.
    • Git Alternative: git pull

  3. svn add

    • Explanation: Puts new files and directories under version control.
    • Git Alternative: git add

  4. svn commit

    • Explanation: Sends changes from your local working copy to the repository. The changes become visible to other users. You must provide a log message.
    • Git Alternative: git commit followed by git push

  5. svn delete

    • Explanation: Deletes a file or directory from your working copy and schedules it for deletion from the repository on the next commit.
    • Git Alternative: git rm

  6. svn move

    • Explanation: Moves a file or directory within the repository. It’s a combination of svn delete and svn copy.
    • Git Alternative: git mv

  7. svn status

    • Explanation: Shows the status of files and directories in your working copy. It tells you which files are modified, added, deleted, or unversioned.
    • Git Alternative: git status

  8. svn log

    • Explanation: Displays commit log messages and other metadata for a file or directory.
    • Git Alternative: git log

  9. svn diff

    • Explanation: Shows the differences between files. You can see the changes in your local working copy or compare different revisions.
    • Git Alternative: git diff

  10. svn branch (or svn copy)

    • Explanation: Creates a new branch (or tag) in the repository by copying a specific revision. SVN branches are directory-based.
    • Git Alternative: git branch followed by git checkout -b or git checkout

  11. svn merge

    • Explanation: Merges changes from one branch into another.
    • Git Alternative: git merge or git rebase

  12. svn switch

    • Explanation: Changes the working copy to point to a different URL, which is often used to switch between branches.
    • Git Alternative: git checkout

  13. svn revert

    • Explanation: Discards local changes to a file or directory and restores it to the state it was in before you made the changes.
    • Git Alternative: git restore or git checkout --

  14. svn info

    • Explanation: Displays information about a file, directory, or URL, such as the repository URL, revision number, and last author.
    • Git Alternative: git remote show origin or git ls-files -v