Since you happen to be reading through the opening pages of Foundation Version Control for Web Developers then it’s safe to say you have some interest in finding out a little bit more about version control. It may be true that this new interest isn’t actually your own, but instead comes from a friend, colleague, or employer who thinks getting a bit more knowledge on the subject would be beneficial to you. Either way, throughout the course of this book you’ll be walked through the basics of version control using Subversion (SVN), Mercurial, and Git, getting to know each of them a little better as the chapters go on. I’ll cover setting up a development environment first, just in case you’re really new to the development scene, then the programs you can use for versioning your code (Chapter 5), and even how to dive into Terminal and all your versioning needs with commands (Chapter 9). Don’t worry if any of this seems daunting. As you progress through the chapters you’ll feel your confidence in version control growing, and before long you’ll be a versioning master!
Foundation Version Control for Web Developers explains how version control works, what you can do with it and how. Using a friendly and accessible tone, you will learn how to use the three leading version control systems—Subversion, Git and Mercurial—on multiple operating systems. The history and integral concepts of version control are covered so that you will gain a thorough understanding of the subject, and why it should be used to manage all changes in web development projects.
This book covers the valuable knowledge and transferable skills that will enable you use one of the three leading systems as well as easily switch to new systems that will arise in the workplace. Topics covered include:
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How to choose the correct software for your needs.
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Creating and working with repositories.
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Understanding trunks, branches, hooks, conflicts and merging.
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Setting up respository servers and integrating with Apache.
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Using Terminal, and understanding alternatives.
Foundation Version Control for Web Developers is a concise beginner’s course for designer and developer alike. Even if you have no prior knowledge of version control, this book will provide you with the knowledge to fully manage projects from start to finish, ensuring your projects are as seamless and successful as you need them to be.
What you’ll learn
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The benefits of having more version control in your life
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The basics of managing your work with version control
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How to choose the correct software for your needs
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Creating and working with repositories
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Understanding trunks, branches, hooks, conflicts and merging
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Setting up servers such as Apache
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Using Terminal, and understanding alternatives
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Advanced techniques for those who want to create and manage their own repositories
Who this book is for
Foundation Version Control for Web Developers is aimed at developers and designers who have little or no experience with version control—those who have experience coding and those who are just getting started. The reader may be also a junior developer, just starting out, who hasn’t looked into any kind of versioning system before. Although the book is primarily aimed at those with little knowledge of managing files using this method, it will still be beneficial to any developer.
Table of Contents
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Are you set up? Creating a basic development environment
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In the beginning there were just source files
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Meet the current players in the game: SVN, Git and Mercurial
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The benefits of version control
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I don't like Terminal, which programs can I use?
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You mean I can version control everything?!
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What can make my life easier?
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I have a conflict, what can I do?
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I'm feeling brave, can I do this with Terminal?
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How to create a server
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I don't have a server, which other options do I have?
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Why branching is great
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Hooks, and why they can be useful
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Upgrading from CVS and converting repositories