SmartSVN
Encyclopedia
SmartSVN is a cross-platform Subversion client. It is written in Java
and runs on Windows
, Linux
and Mac OS X
.
) in that it has a directory tree on the left and a file table on the right. However, by default the file table is fully recursive, i.e. it shows not only the files inside the directory that is currently selected in the directory tree, but also all files in sub-directories of the selected directory.
Another characteristic of the file table is that the files in it are (by default) sorted so that all 'changed' files are shown on top. In other words, if a file is modified locally so that its content differs from the latest version in the SVN repository, SmartSVN moves the file to the top of the file table. Effectively, this gives the user an overview of what he or she is about to commit.
SmartSVN makes extensive use of file-manager concepts such as dialogs, wizards and drag & drop, through which all common versioning tasks (committing, branching, etc.) as well as higher-level operations not directly provided by SVN (e.g. management of tags and branches) can be performed.
SmartSVN comes bundled with numerous features that are frequently needed in conjunction with version control. Thus, unlike command-line based tool chains, the program can be used 'out of the box' without requiring the user to install and set up additional tools. These bundled features include:
A notable feature is the so-called Transaction view, which essentially works like a "commit inbox", i.e. it automatically gathers and displays new commits from an arbitrary number of watched repositories, thereby providing the user with an overview of the latest changes in his or her favorite repositories.
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
and runs on Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
.
Features
SmartSVN's main user interface is similar to those of typical file managers (such as Windows ExplorerWindows Explorer
This article is about the Windows file system browser. For the similarly named web browser, see Internet ExplorerWindows Explorer is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It provides a graphical user interface...
) in that it has a directory tree on the left and a file table on the right. However, by default the file table is fully recursive, i.e. it shows not only the files inside the directory that is currently selected in the directory tree, but also all files in sub-directories of the selected directory.
Another characteristic of the file table is that the files in it are (by default) sorted so that all 'changed' files are shown on top. In other words, if a file is modified locally so that its content differs from the latest version in the SVN repository, SmartSVN moves the file to the top of the file table. Effectively, this gives the user an overview of what he or she is about to commit.
SmartSVN makes extensive use of file-manager concepts such as dialogs, wizards and drag & drop, through which all common versioning tasks (committing, branching, etc.) as well as higher-level operations not directly provided by SVN (e.g. management of tags and branches) can be performed.
SmartSVN comes bundled with numerous features that are frequently needed in conjunction with version control. Thus, unlike command-line based tool chains, the program can be used 'out of the box' without requiring the user to install and set up additional tools. These bundled features include:
- A file diff viewer that shows two text files side by side, highlights the differences between them and allows editing the files.
- A so-called 'conflict solver', which is basically a three-files version of the file diff viewer. It is used for resolving merge conflicts.
- A built-in SSH client.
A notable feature is the so-called Transaction view, which essentially works like a "commit inbox", i.e. it automatically gathers and displays new commits from an arbitrary number of watched repositories, thereby providing the user with an overview of the latest changes in his or her favorite repositories.
Editions
SmartSVN is available in three different editions: A free Foundation edition with fewer features and two commercial editions called Professional and Enterprise with the full feature set. When the program is started without license, it can be run in a free demo mode for 30 days with all features enabled before it downgrades itself to the Foundation edition.See also
- Comparison of Subversion clientsComparison of Subversion clientsA comparison of Subversion clients includes various aspects of computer software implementations of the client role using the client–server model of the Subversion revision control system.- Descriptions:...
- Subversion (software)
- Version Control