Versionsierung

Versionsverwaltung, also known as version control or revision control, is a system that records changes to a file or set of files over time so that you can recall specific versions later. It is primarily used in software development to manage changes to source code, but it can also be applied to any digital asset that is frequently updated, such as documents, designs, or configurations.

The core idea behind version control is to keep a history of modifications. When a user makes changes, the system logs these changes, often creating a new version of the file. This allows developers to revert to previous states if a mistake is made or if a new feature proves problematic. It also facilitates collaboration by enabling multiple individuals to work on the same project simultaneously without overwriting each other's work.

Key features of version control systems include the ability to track who made what changes and when, to merge different lines of development, and to compare different versions of a file. This helps in understanding the evolution of a project, debugging issues by identifying when a bug was introduced, and maintaining a stable codebase.

There are two main types of version control systems: centralized and distributed. In centralized systems, there is a single central server that stores all the versioned files. In distributed systems, each user has a complete copy of the repository, including its history, on their local machine. Distributed systems are generally considered more robust and flexible. Popular examples include Git, Subversion (SVN), and Mercurial.