Source Code Management Systems

[gtilles]

I'm looking for recommendations for Source Control:
I initially wanted to go with VSS but someone told me that even Microsoft doesn't use it. If this is true I guess I want to rethink my desicion.
We have a small shop here 1-5 programmers and I doubt two would ever be working on a file at the same time. So I don't feel this is a big burden for any product.
There seems to be a lot to choose from, Vault, VCC, CodeWarrior,CVS, Subversion.
Can any one tell me the pros and cons and steer me to a practical and reliable
product?

[Hack]

For a shop as small as yours I wouldn't spend any money on a version control system. Use VSS - if you have already paid for VB, then it is free.

I work in the Custom Development department of a commerical software company, and we use Visual Source Safe. It doesn't have some features that other version control software does (like PVCS for instance), but it does have the virtue of working pretty well and the price is right.

[szlamany]

I'm looking for recommendations for Source Control:
I initially wanted to go with VSS but someone told me that even Microsoft doesn't use it. If this is true I guess I want to rethink my desicion.
We have a small shop here 1-5 programmers and I doubt two would ever be working on a file at the same time. So I don't feel this is a big burden for any product.
There seems to be a lot to choose from, Vault, VCC, CodeWarrior,CVS, Subversion.
Can any one tell me the pros and cons and steer me to a practical and reliable
product?

Visual Source safe is fine for use. We use it here.

I've heard some horror stories about the folders becoming corrupt, but apparently MS will take a zip of the folders and fix the problem if you have it.

We have well over 1000 items in VSS - never had an issue here (3 years of use).

[mendhak]

VSS here too.

There is Merant, I've heard of it, if you're looking for an alternative.

I don't know what you mean by "even MS doesn't use it."

[RobDog888]

We use VSS here too. Only one issue over a 5 year period. It was a corrupted project folder issue. VSS has a
maintenance utility (included) called "Analyze & Fix" in the same menu location as VSS. Its like an
Access db "Compact & Repair". This had fixed the folder corruption with no problem.

One limitation is that if you need remote access to your VSS DB you can install VSS on your webserver and
open port 8890 and use a program called Source Off Site to access your VSS DB remotely and securely (if you
connect throuh a VPN). It is built on the VSS COM objects and adds a little more functionality to VSS.

We have hundreds of projects in our db (4.4 Gbs!).

[gtilles]

Thanks for your replies....
I initally had read up on the different systems and ultimetly decided that Microsoft was the best way to go. It wasn't until my boss threw the monkey wrench in and said he heard they don't use VSS at MS, therefore one might think if it isn't good enough for the creators then maybe it has some issues.
My thinking still leans towards VSS because we aren't anywhere the size of MS and don't have the same huge source code library to maintain (most of our stuff is small ASP,ASP.net and web pages. If I am going to stick by my initial MS desicion I have to come back to him with valid justification. GT

[szlamany]

Thanks for your replies....
I initally had read up on the different systems and ultimetly decided that Microsoft was the best way to go. It wasn't until my boss threw the monkey wrench in and said he heard they don't use VSS at MS, therefore one might think if it isn't good enough for the creators then maybe it has some issues.
My thinking still leans towards VSS because we aren't anywhere the size of MS and don't have the same huge source code library to maintain (most of our stuff is small ASP,ASP.net and web pages. If I am going to stick by my initial MS desicion I have to come back to him with valid justification. GT

What MS actually uses seems irrelavent to me. But I can't give you justification one way or the other.

[gtilles]

ir·rele·vant·ly adv.
Synonyms: irrelevant, extraneous, immaterial, impertinent
These adjectives mean not pertinent to the subject under consideration: an irrelevant comment; a question extraneous to the discussion; an objection that is immaterial; mentioned several impertinent facts.

If I consider going to a resturant and find out the staff doesn't eat there, I want to know why.

[szlamany]

ir·rele·vant·ly adv.
Synonyms: irrelevant, extraneous, immaterial, impertinent
These adjectives mean not pertinent to the subject under consideration: an irrelevant comment; a question extraneous to the discussion; an objection that is immaterial; mentioned several impertinent facts.

If I consider going to a resturant and find out the staff doesn't eat there, I want to know why.

I can't see how what a huge-organization such as MS uses has any bearing on the choice that your boss wants to make. It would seem more important to find out what was a good product in a similar size business to your own.

[gtilles]

I agree,
but since he is the boss and asking I have to try and back up my software I recommend and not suggest something without having reasons to support my recomendations. I think ultimatley he wants a wise choice that has been thought through-- you know pros and cons. Gregg

[Hack]

Well, a Pro would certainly be that if you have purchased Visual Studio, then you don't have to spend any more money for a version control system if you go with VSS.

[Merrion]

Visual SourceSafe has very slick integration with Visual Studio so that you can do most source control operations from within the IDE. This is more productive (and less developer-error prone) than having to close down the IDE to use soiurce control.

[Danial]

I personally has been using VSS for long time without any problem. As Rob Mentioned if you are involved in Projects involving Remote access then Source Offsite is the best. It is pretty much a Clone of VSS. I have used it and it also intregrates with the IDE just like VSS.

Just make sure you backup the VSS Database from time to time then you should have nothing to worry about.