Subversion for OS/400 Features

Subversion for OS/400 provides advanced PC, Java, and Web source version control that runs natively on the iSeries for enhanced security, reliability, and ease of administration. This freely-available tool creates the infrastructure for efficient, risk-free team development through:

Version and change tracking
Release management
Source compare and merge
Change history

Overall, Subversion for OS/400 improves team productivity and communication while protecting the work of individual developers.

Efficient team development

Subversion's OS400-based central repository keeps source files organized and secure during demanding team development projects. It creates a baseline for each file in each application and tracks all changes to files and directories. As a result, the most recent files are available to all team members at all times.

File, directory, metadata versioning

Unlike some other version control systems, Subversion's version history does not stop with individual files. It also tracks changes to directories and metadata, including renames and deletes.

Risk-free atomic commits

Without atomic commits, if something goes wrong with your network connection in the midst of the commit process, you need to figure out exactly what was saved and what was not. Subversion uses atomic commits for all-or-nothing performance. When a developer commits changed files to the repository, either all files commit, or none will. If the initial commit fails for any reason, the developer simply recommits the files - there is nothing to untangle.

Remote development support

Because Subversion's repository design minimizes reliance on network connections, it is the ideal choice for IT organizations that support remote developers. Not only does Subversion use atomic commits, but it intelligently identifies and saves just the deltas -- the pieces of the files that you changed -- back to the repository, significantly cutting the connectivity time required over tools that commit the entire application.

Controlled parallel development

When multiple developers need to work on the same application at the same time, code conflicts may occasionally arise. Subversion's source compare and merge notifies developers of potential conflicts as they commit changes to the repository, so they can resolve problems quickly. If no conflicts exist, Subversion automatically merges the changes. Subversion also offers an optional locking feature specifically for file types that are not contextually mergeable, such as graphics and binary files.

Economical branching for release management

With its unique repository design and efficient branching and tagging technique, Subversion significantly cuts the time and system resources needed to create and maintain a branch in an application. You can manage several different releases with little overhead.

Support for refactoring

Subversion tracks file and directory renames and deletes so that you can efficiently refine performance of your applications on a regular basis.

Auditable change history

Auditors can run on-screen inquiries to see the full history of any given artifact. Subversion shows auditors who changed which lines of code during any given revision, and why. For full lifecycle, task-oriented audit history that also encompasses traditional iSeries development, please see TurnOverSVN.

Flexible, scalable security

Subversion supports the full range of authentication requirements. For simple implementations, choose Subversion's basic server option, or choose its Apache DAV module to leverage your existing security infrastructure and all other features offered by Apache, such as SSL, LDAP, client certificates, and so on.

Add-On Functionality via TurnOverSVN

Companies with the following requirements for their Java, PC, and Web developers should also consider TurnOverSVN:

Issue tracking, project management, or deployment support
Sarbanes-Oxley or other audit compliance
Synchronization with iSeries-based development
IT management reporting of all development activity
Easy implementation (packaged releases and installation wizards)
Commercial technical support