Subversion (also known as svn) is a version control system designed specifically to replace CVS, which is considered to have many deficiencies. Currently approaching version 1.0, Subversion already features the following:

  • Most current CVS features
  • Directories, renames, and file meta-data are versioned
  • Commits are truly atomic
  • Apache HTTP server as network server, WebDAV/DeltaV for protocol
  • Branching and tagging are cheap (constant time) operations
  • Natively client/server, layered library design
  • Client/server protocol sends diffs in both directions
  • Costs are proportional to change size, not data size
  • Efficient handling of binary files
  • Parseable output (including XML log output)

Subversion has an IRC channel on irc.freenode.net (#svn).

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Subversion (as a word) is the undermining of authority.