SubVersion (version control) role in Configuration mngmt?

[RTTaylor]

I understand the power of version control applications but a co-worker is pushing to use it as the configuration management system also. We have software, electronics, and hardware designs to manage (IR cameras). We are currently using a database (PEDYN)to track the Parts and drawings...BOM...ECNs...serial numbering.... Does anyone have any experience using Version Control applications as a "System" configuration mngmt tool?

Regards,
RTaylor

 

[xwb]

SVN is a text based system - works best on text based stuff. If your drawings are binary files, it may not be so good.

 

[DMurrin]

I am looking for a good tool to keep track of our in-house numerical tools (mostly matlab) and the configuration files for our finite element simulations. Any suggestions? I have used CVS before, when coding, but would like something very simple for non-programmers to use.

 

[RTTaylor]

I setup Subversion and Tortoise SVN on my home computer. Tortiose is a Windows file manager front end to Subversion. I haven't used it extensively but it seems very simple and is widely used.

 

[xwb]

It is OK but not without faults. It is very easy to wipe out whole directories accidentally. It is different from others in that every checkin increments the version number.

The good points: A snapshot of a build is just storage of a version number: takes less than a second. The database based systems (eg MS Team Server) take at least 5 minutes to do this on a large system. Older systems (eg PVCS, Clearcase) take even longer (2-3 hours is quite common). This just beats the big boys hands down.