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Apache Subversion VS VisualSVN

Compare Apache Subversion VS VisualSVN and see what are their differences

Apache Subversion logo Apache Subversion

Mirror of Apache Subversion. Contribute to apache/subversion development by creating an account on GitHub.

VisualSVN logo VisualSVN

VisualSVN - Subversion plugin for Visual Studio
  • Apache Subversion Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-27
  • VisualSVN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-17

Apache Subversion features and specs

  • Centralized Version Control
    Apache Subversion (SVN) uses a centralized repository model, which makes it easy to manage and control all project files in one place. All history and versions are stored on the server, making backup and repository management straightforward.
  • Atomic Commits
    Subversion ensures that commits are atomic operations. This means that either all changes in a commit are applied, or none are, helping to maintain the integrity of the repository.
  • Comprehensive Authorization
    SVN offers fine-grained authentication and authorization models. It can integrate with various authentication systems and allows granular access control on a per-directory and per-user basis.
  • Binary File Handling
    SVN handles binary files more efficiently compared to some other version control systems, reducing the size of repositories and improving performance when large files are committed.
  • Mature and Stable
    SVN has been around since 2000 and is widely used in enterprise settings. It is stable, well-documented, and has a vast community for support.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Subversion

  • Limited Branching and Merging
    SVN’s branching and merging capabilities are more cumbersome compared to distributed version control systems (DVCS) like Git. Merging in SVN can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Single Point of Failure
    As a centralized version control system, the SVN repository server becomes a single point of failure. If the server goes down, no commits can be made until it is back up.
  • Performance Overhead
    Working with a remote central repository can introduce latency and performance overhead, especially with large projects and many users.
  • Less support for Offline Work
    SVN generally requires network access to the central repository for most operations. This makes it less flexible for developers needing to work offline, compared to DVCS where local copies are complete repositories.
  • Complex Repository Management
    Managing SVN repositories, particularly for large projects, can become complex and may require significant administrative effort to handle repositories, backups, and access controls.

VisualSVN features and specs

  • Integration with Active Directory
    VisualSVN Server integrates with Active Directory, which allows for seamless user authentication and management, simplifying the task of handling permissions and access control for large teams.
  • Easy Installation and Administration
    The setup process is straightforward, with clear instructions that reduce the likelihood of errors. The software includes a user-friendly interface for administration, reducing the time needed for server maintenance.
  • Web Interface
    VisualSVN Server includes a web interface to browse repositories, view logs, and access other information, providing a convenient, platform-independent method for interacting with the server.
  • Stability and Reliability
    Given its design for Windows environments, VisualSVN is known for its robust performance, ensuring stability and minimizing downtime in day-to-day operations.
  • Comprehensive Support and Documentation
    The software comes with extensive documentation and reliable support, which aids in troubleshooting issues and optimizing server performance.

Possible disadvantages of VisualSVN

  • Windows Only
    VisualSVN Server is designed to run only on Windows operating systems, limiting its use in environments that predominantly use other operating systems such as Linux or macOS.
  • Limited Free Version
    While there is a free version available, it comes with limitations compared to the paid edition, which might not meet all the needs of larger or more complex projects without incurring additional costs.
  • Focus on Subversion
    As it focuses on Subversion as a version control system, teams utilizing or anticipating to switch to distributed version control systems like Git may find VisualSVN less relevant.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running VisualSVN Server, especially in large environments, might require significant system resources and could impact performance if not appropriately scaled.

Apache Subversion videos

Setting Up Apache Subversion on Windows

VisualSVN videos

Introducing VisualSVN for easy Subversion on Windows

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Subversion and VisualSVN)
Git
59 59%
41% 41
Code Collaboration
100 100%
0% 0
Robo-Advisor
0 0%
100% 100
Version Control
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Subversion and VisualSVN, you can also consider the following products

Git - Git is a free and open source version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. It is easy to learn and lightweight with lighting fast performance that outclasses competitors.

TortoiseSVN - The coolest interface to (Sub)version control

Mercurial SCM - Mercurial is a free, distributed source control management tool.

Xversion - Super easy enterprise class version control.

Atlassian Bitbucket Server - Atlassian Bitbucket Server is a scalable collaborative Git solution.

WebSVN - Online subversion repository browser