Version Control

Definition

This is the process of saving prior versions of a source code while making updates to it. You can imagine it like one of those old zoetrope cylinders with each frame as the moment in time representing the progress that you have saved from the previous version. Version control is a crucial tool when it comes to debugging or updating legacy code, especially across teams with multiple collaborators.

What is an example of Version Control?

When you document the previous version of a source code, while updating the source code to be used, that is version control.

What is the most common version control?

GitHub is the most commonly used version control repository.

What are some unique features of Version Control?

Version control ultimately creates a massive database for every source code given that all modifications to it are saved and documented.

Which is better: Git or SVN?

It depends on whether someone wishes to use a distributed version control model like Git or a centralized model like SVN.

Related Terms

Technology Stack

Think of a “technology stack” like the personal Swiss army knife of all types of technologies, tools, programming languages, and systems needed to develop an application. If it’s a technology or tool that’s needed to build the product, then it’s part of the technology stack.
Technical Debt

Technical debt is created when software development teams put speedy delivery ahead of optimal code quality. This is often intentional. The user may need functionality in a hurry, and so developers elect to deploy code that’s “good enough,” intending to fix it later.
CRUD

The acronym stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete—representing the four main operations performed on data. CRUD is a foundational concept in computer programming, databases, and application design. The process is applicable to relational database management system (RDBMSs) or NoSQL.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA is the use of technology to automate repetitive business tasks that would otherwise be done manually. You can program virtual bots to perform the same repetitive actions that your human workers do, like filtering information, migrating data, or completing forms.