Using Subversion with Dreamweaver CS4 – Part 1: Introducing Subversion

What is Subversion and version control?

Subversion (SVN) is one of several commercial and open source version control systems (VCSs) currently available. It has seen significant adoption since its initial release and provides many features that are considered essential to a good VCS. Subversion software runs on a server that provides a repository where a developer can store critical data such as source code and configuration files. Unlike a standard file system, the VCS keeps track of changes made to each file, enabling users to track changes and return to previous versions of any file. It also allows multiple developers to interact in a more complex development process by using branching, merging, and tagging.

Subversion was initiated by the CollabNet development team, who continue to support it together with the open source community. It has been released to the general public for use under the Apache License. The software and its source are freely available at the Subversion website for download and installation. It also comes pre-installed on many platforms including Mac OS X 10.5 and a number of Linux variants. As a Dreamweaver CS4 user you do not need to download or install the Subversion client itself, because Dreamweaver CS4 acts as a client to a Subversion repository.

Subversion is not the only VCS available in the public domain. Other classic open source systems include Revision Control System (RCS) and Concurrent Versions System (CVS). Those interested in commercial applications can review products such as Perforce and Microsoft Visual SourceSafe. At the time of writing, Subversion is the only VCS supported by Dreamweaver CS4.

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