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BitKeeper VS Apache Subversion

Compare BitKeeper VS Apache Subversion and see what are their differences

BitKeeper logo BitKeeper

BitKeeper is an open source distributed version control tool.

Apache Subversion logo Apache Subversion

Mirror of Apache Subversion. Contribute to apache/subversion development by creating an account on GitHub.
  • BitKeeper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Apache Subversion Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-27

BitKeeper features and specs

  • Scalability
    BitKeeper is designed to handle large projects efficiently, making it suitable for projects with extensive codebases and many developers.
  • Distributed Version Control
    BitKeeper follows a distributed model, allowing developers to work independently and merge changes, which enhances collaboration and reduces bottlenecks.
  • Performance
    The system is optimized for speed, enabling fast operations even in large projects with extensive histories.
  • Data Integrity
    BitKeeper places a strong emphasis on data integrity, ensuring that repository data remains consistent and secure.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    It supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which provides flexibility for diverse development environments.

Possible disadvantages of BitKeeper

  • Proprietary Nature
    While BitKeeper had opened up its code, its origin as a proprietary product led to trust issues and limited initial adoption in certain communities.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    Compared to other version control systems like Git, BitKeeper has a smaller community and fewer integrations, which may limit its adoption and available resources.
  • Learning Curve
    For developers accustomed to more common systems like Git or Mercurial, BitKeeper may present a steeper learning curve.
  • Limited Popularity
    BitKeeper is not as widely used as other version control systems, which means it might be harder to find support or talent experienced with the tool.
  • Marketing and Momentum
    Despite its features, BitKeeper does not have the same level of marketing presence or momentum as some of its competitors, like Git.

Apache Subversion features and specs

  • Centralized Version Control
    Apache Subversion (SVN) uses a centralized repository model, which makes it easy to manage and control all project files in one place. All history and versions are stored on the server, making backup and repository management straightforward.
  • Atomic Commits
    Subversion ensures that commits are atomic operations. This means that either all changes in a commit are applied, or none are, helping to maintain the integrity of the repository.
  • Comprehensive Authorization
    SVN offers fine-grained authentication and authorization models. It can integrate with various authentication systems and allows granular access control on a per-directory and per-user basis.
  • Binary File Handling
    SVN handles binary files more efficiently compared to some other version control systems, reducing the size of repositories and improving performance when large files are committed.
  • Mature and Stable
    SVN has been around since 2000 and is widely used in enterprise settings. It is stable, well-documented, and has a vast community for support.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Subversion

  • Limited Branching and Merging
    SVN’s branching and merging capabilities are more cumbersome compared to distributed version control systems (DVCS) like Git. Merging in SVN can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Single Point of Failure
    As a centralized version control system, the SVN repository server becomes a single point of failure. If the server goes down, no commits can be made until it is back up.
  • Performance Overhead
    Working with a remote central repository can introduce latency and performance overhead, especially with large projects and many users.
  • Less support for Offline Work
    SVN generally requires network access to the central repository for most operations. This makes it less flexible for developers needing to work offline, compared to DVCS where local copies are complete repositories.
  • Complex Repository Management
    Managing SVN repositories, particularly for large projects, can become complex and may require significant administrative effort to handle repositories, backups, and access controls.

BitKeeper videos

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Apache Subversion videos

Setting Up Apache Subversion on Windows

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BitKeeper and Apache Subversion)
Git
29 29%
71% 71
Code Collaboration
30 30%
70% 70
Version Control
31 31%
69% 69
Git Tools
32 32%
68% 68

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, BitKeeper seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

BitKeeper mentions (1)

  • Ask HN: What VCS to use for binary files only?
    If you're feeling adventurous, [bitkeeper](https://bitkeeper.org) handles binaries well. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

Apache Subversion mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Apache Subversion yet. Tracking of Apache Subversion recommendations started around May 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing BitKeeper and Apache Subversion, you can also consider the following products

GitKraken - The intuitive, fast, and beautiful cross-platform Git client.

Git - Git is a free and open source version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. It is easy to learn and lightweight with lighting fast performance that outclasses competitors.

Mercurial SCM - Mercurial is a free, distributed source control management tool.

Atlassian Bitbucket Server - Atlassian Bitbucket Server is a scalable collaborative Git solution.

GitHub Desktop - GitHub Desktop is a seamless way to contribute to projects on GitHub and GitHub Enterprise.

Tower - Build Better Software. Over 100,000 developers and designers are more productive with Tower - the most powerful Git client for Mac and Windows.