Software to control versions of VCS tools is also called RCS (Revision Control System) or SCM (Source Code Management) tools.
Using version control, we can keep track of all the different iterations of our code and easily revert to an earlier version if necessary. It is essential to have this when various developers are constantly working on and changing the source code.
Top 5 Version Control Software Tools
1) Git
Git is one of the best tools you can use to keep track of different versions of a file.
Features
- It gives strong support for growth that isn’t linear.
- Model for a distributed store.
- Compatible with tools and protocols already in use, such as HTTP, FTP, and ssh.
- Able to handle jobs of all sizes effectively.
- History can be verified with cryptography.
- Pluggable merge methods.
- Design based on toolkits.
- Periodic packing of objects in a transparent way.
- Garbage piles up until it is picked up.
Pros
- The performance is speedy and effective.
- Cross-platform
- Changes to code can be quickly followed.
- Easy to keep up and strong.
- It offers a tremendous command-line tool called git bash.
It also comes with a GIT GUI that lets you quickly re-scan, change the state, sign off, commit, and push the code with just a few clicks.
Cons
- Understanding the past log is problematic as it gets more complicated and extensive.
- It only works with keyword growth or keeping timestamps.
Open Source: Yes
Cost: Free
2) CVS
It is another of the most used change control systems. Since a long time ago, CVS has been the tool of choice.
Features
- Model of client-server storage.
- Several coders could work on the same project at the same time.
- CVS client keeps the working copy of the file up-to-date and only needs human help when there is an editing issue.
- Keeps a record of the project’s past.
- Read access for anyone.
- “Update” order to ensure local copies are always up to date.
- It can keep different parts of a project going.
- It avoids a security risk by leaving out symbolic ties.
- Uses the delta compression method for efficient storage.
Pros
- Excellent cross-platform support.
- Robust coding is possible with a solid command-line client with all the features.
- Helpful assistance from a large group of CVS users
- lets you browse the source code library well on the web
- It’s an old tool that everyone knows how to use.
- It fits perfectly with the way people work together in the open-source world.
Cons
- There is no check for the source code repository’s trustworthiness.
- It does not allow checking out and committing at the same time.
- Poor support for source control that is spread out.
- Doesn’t work with signed changes or merge tracking.
Open Source: Yes
Cost: Free
3) SVN
Apache Subversion, also known as SVN, is designed to be the best replacement for the widely used CVS tool we just talked about.
Features
- Model of client-server storage. But SVK lets SVN have branches that are spread out.
- Versions are kept in directories.
- Operations like copying, deleting, moving, and changing are also tracked.
- It lets you do instant commits.
- Symbolic links with versions.
- Free-form versioned information.
- We are using less space to store binary differences.
- Branching doesn’t depend on the file size; it only costs a little.
- Other features include merge tracking, full MIME support, path-based permission, file locking, and standalone server operation.
Pros
- Good GUI tools like TortoiseSVN are a plus.
- Supports empty folders.
- Git doesn’t handle Windows as well as you do.
- It’s easy to set up and run.
- Works well with Windows, the most popular IDEs, and Agile tools.
Cons
- It doesn’t store when files were last changed.
- It needs to do a better job of normalizing file names.
- Does not work with signed changes.
Open Source: Yes
Cost: Free
4) Mercurial
Mercurial is a tool for software writers that helps them keep track of changes and is written in Python. It works with operating systems similar to Unix, Windows, and macOS.
Features
- High speed and the ability to grow.
- Better options for branches and merging.
- Collaboration between people from all over the world.
- Decentralized
- Strong with both plain text files and code files.
- It has a web tool that is built in.
Pros
- Quick and strong
- Simple to learn
- Easy to carry and not too heavy.
- Simple in terms of ideas
Cons
- Python must be used to write all of the add-ons.
- We don’t accept partial checkouts.
- A lot of trouble when used with extra extensions.
Open Source: Yes
Cost: Free
5) Monotone
Monotone is a tool for revision control that is written in C++. It can run on Unix, Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Windows, among others.
Features
- Helps with internationalization and localization in a good way.
- Putting integrity ahead of success.
- Designed for distributed tasks.
- It uses secure building blocks to keep track of file changes and authentications.
- Can bring in projects from CVS.
- It uses a custom system called Netsync that is very fast and reliable.
Pros
- Needs very little upkeep.
- Good paper trail
- Simple to learn
- Portable design
- Branching and joining work great.
- GUI Stable
Cons
- Some processes had performance problems; the first pull was the most obvious.
- You can’t commit or checkout from behind the proxy because you’re using a transport other than HTTP.
Open Source: Yes
Cost: Free
Conclusion
We talked about the best version control software in this piece. As we’ve seen, each tool has its pros and cons, making it unique. Some of them were free, while others cost money. Some are good for small businesses, while others are better for big businesses.
So, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each tool and choose the one that best fits your needs. I suggest you try out their free trial versions before buying for costly tools.
