Anti Virus and other Software

Tarannum Ali Mohmmed asked:




Revision control software refers to the set of programs that are used to manage the changes to the documents that are stored as files in computer. As is evident from the name of the software, it addresses the changes (Revision)! The revision or the revision number identifies the changes. This is used as a tool for software development!

In this article, the various types of revision control software and the distinct features of each will be covered.

GIT

Though the name GIT has more than an explanation, it generally stands for Global Information Tracker. GIT software is used for maintaining large distributed development project. So what actually is done is each developer is provided with a copy of the entire development history. Each developer revises or changes and these are copied from one store to another. Each revision of a file is stored as a unique blob object.

Some of the distinct features of GIT are: Distributed teams, therefore the authoritative sources can be many and distributed too, multiple workflows, etc. and as local repositories function individually, the development process is greatly sped up.

Perforce

Perforce software develops a commercial and proprietary system for software development. Here the server maintains a database and a master repository or storage of files. Clients make the changes to the files at their own local workplaces and the changed files are submitted all together to the server as changelists. This communication between the server and the client is enabled by the TCP/IP using a proprietary protocol.

Perforce is distinct in that it manages the branch and merge system more efficiently. It has a unique Inter-Branching system makes the branch and merge system more simple and so the integration history is retained effectively. Another distinct factor is that the perforce software merges low administrative costs and support costs for an up-front purchase cost that is very much affordable.

Clearcase

Clearcase is revision control software that can handle hundreds to thousands of developers. Built for development of source code, this has two operating models – UCM, which is an out-of-the -box model, in the sense it offers certain functions without any modification and a basic model called base Clearcase. The latter offers more flexibility.

Some of the distinct features of Clearcase are that it can handle large files and also large repositories. It allows for integration with a number of products. However this is a slow model unlike the Perforce and GIT which are fast. But Clearcase is reliable, scalable and highly flexible.

CVS

CVS (Concurrent Versions System) is a version control system. This provides for software development by storing or recording the history of the computer source documents or files. If the developers are separated geographically, CVS is the software that is best to be used. These developers can function as a single team as CVS employs a client-server model. Checkins and updates are some of the operations that take place between the client and the server.

CVS is unique in that the central CVS repository is distributed on many sites. The association of the development lines is allowed for by DVCS and thus there is no collision neither a data loss.