Top 10 Version Control Systems

Introduction of Version control systems:

Version control systems are a category of software tools that help a software team to manage changes in source code over time. It keeps track of every modification to the code in a kind of database. If any mistake happened, developers can turn back the clock and compare earlier versions of the code. It helps to fix the mistake while minimizing disruption to all team members.

Below are the top 10 Version control systems:

1.GitHub:

• GitHub helps to collaborate and maintain the entire history of the code changes. 
• You can track changes in code, turn back the clock to undo errors and share your efforts with other team members.
• It is a repository for host Git projects. 
• It is an open source version control system that features convenient staging areas, multiple workflows and local branching. 
• Git version control is easy to learn and offers faster operation speed.

Pros and cons of GitHub:

• Different offering for continuous integration providers
• New features (code owners, branch protection)
• Bring the social aspect of programming into focus
• Lack of command line configuration options
• Downtime (not infrequent, no data loss, but still a pain)
• Improved security scanning for keys to prevent merges, etc.

2. GitLab

• GitLab comes with a lot of features like a project website, integrated project, etc. 
• By using the continuous integration capabilities of GitLab, you can automatically deliver and test  the code.
• You can access all the aspects of a project,  pull requests, view code and combine the conflict resolution.

Pros and cons of GitLab:

• Can be easily accessed from the terminal.
• Easy to maintain codes online.
• UX value GUI is very nice and high.
• Features are kept adding all the time.
• Not as good as GitHub in some places.
• UI is not as friendly or pretty as its competitors.
• It is lacking some enterprise-level features.

3. Beanstalk

• It is an ideal option for those who need to work from remote places. This software is based on the cloud, allowing users to write the code, commit, review and deploy using a browser.
• It can be integrated with email platforms and messaging for efficient collaborations related to the codes and updates. 
• It supports both SVN and Git and comes with built-in analytics features.
• For security, it leverages encryption, two-factor authentication, and password protection functionalities.

Pros and Cons of Beanstalk:

• Lightning Fast Configuration with Automation
• AWS Elastic Load Balancer
• Powerful Customization
• Price and Flexibility
• Unreliable Deployment
• Old Application Versions
• Stack Upgrades

4. PerForce

• It delivers the version control capabilities through its HelixCore. 
• The HelixCore comes with a single platform for seamless team collaboration, and support for both distributed and centralized development workflows.
• It is a security that protects the most valuable assets. 
• HelixCore allows you to track the code changes and facilitates a complete Git ecosystem.

Pros and Cons of PerForce:

• Merge algorithms are smart and utilizing the visual interface to do merges makes them easier to digest.
• Easy to set up on multiple platforms and architectures and is well supported on all of them.
• Diff tool makes identifying code changes a snap
• Updating Perforce is somewhat challenging, especially on Linux Systems.
• Sometimes settings disappear.
• In order to customize the font settings, you must restart the visual client.

5. Apache Subversion

• It is another open source version control system, which was founded by CollabNet a couple of decades ago. 
• Both open source and enterprises consider it as a reliable option for valuable data.
• Key features of Subversion include inventory management, history tracking, security management, cheap local branching,  user access controls, and workflow management.

Pros and Cons of Apache Subversion:

• User friendly and easy to learn and understand
• Free software versioning
• Easy to keep track of code versions
• Not distributed like Git
• Git more user friendly and advanced. Git has a lot more features .
• The installation requires some initial configuration

6. AWS CodeCommit

• AWS CodeCommit is a managed version control system that hosts scalable and secure private Git repositories. 
• It seamlessly connects with other products from AWS and hosts the code in secured AWS environments. 
• It is good for the existing users of AWS.
• AWS integration also provides access to several useful plugins from AWS partners, which helps in the software development.

Pros and Cons of AWS CodeCommit:

• Strong Data Guard
• File-Agnostic Repository
• Scalable Service
• They are just “git repositories” providers. No workflow related features are available.
• Lack of features
• Lack of integrations (even bitbucket is better)

7. Microsoft Team Foundation Server

• It was developed by Microsoft, the Team Foundation Server is an enterprise-grade tool to manage source code and other services that need versioning. 
• It can keep tracking on work items to find defects, requirements, and scenarios in a project.
• It comes with the several unique features like Team Build, Team Project Portal, data collection and reporting, Team Foundation Shared Services, etc.

Pros and Cons of Microsoft Team Foundation Server:

• Integration of all tools in a single place
• No additional cost for Microsoft 365 users
• Useful chat additions
• Too many similar tools
• No unified search for all products
• Unnecessary consumption of storage
• Lack of notifications

8. Mercurial

• Mercurial is known for its efficiency in handling all size projects. 
• It is a free and distributed control management service that provides an intuitive and simple user interface.
• Developers and enterprises adore Mercurial for its project tracking and management, data import and export, backup system, search functionality, and data migration tool. 
• It also features workflow management, security management, history tracking, access controls and more.

Pros and cons of Mercurial:

• Distributed architecture
• Branch and Stable
• Platform independent

• Integration with visual studio
• More integrated tools
• When we install Mercurial we always have to do a hard restart of my computer.

9. CVS Version Control (Concurrent Versions System)

• CVS is one of the oldest version control systems and it is a well-known tool among both open source and commercial developers. 
• It allows you to check the code you are planning to work on, and check-in the changes.
• It has the capability to handle projects with multiple branches so that teams can contribute unique features to the project and merge their code changes.
• Now, CVS is the most mature version control software.

Pros and Cons of CVS Version Control:

• It has Flexible hours and It can also work remote as needed
• Detecting Genetic Defects and Chromosomal Anomalies
• Complementing Other Tests
• Limited Application
• Invasive & Uncomfortable
• A lot of work, needs to increase staffing

10. Bitbucket

• Bitbucket is a part of the Atlassian software suite, so it can be integrated with other Atlassian services including  Jira,Bamboo, and HipChat. 
• The main features of Bitbucket are code branches, in-line commenting and discussions, and pull requests.
• It can be deployed on a local server, data center of the company, as well as on the cloud. 
• It allows you to connect with up to five free users. 
• This is good because you can try the platform for free before deciding to purchase

Pros and Cons of Bitbucket:

• Hosting private repos.
• Managing team collaborators.
• Integrating with other Atlassian products.
• It can make it more user-friendly so that first-time users find it easy to work with.
• Pricing for a small team was a bit more than competitors.
• Setup is a bit tricky.