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Mercurial SCM VS BitKeeper

Compare Mercurial SCM VS BitKeeper and see what are their differences

Mercurial SCM logo Mercurial SCM

Mercurial is a free, distributed source control management tool.

BitKeeper logo BitKeeper

BitKeeper is an open source distributed version control tool.
  • Mercurial SCM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-17
  • BitKeeper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Mercurial SCM features and specs

  • Performance
    Mercurial is known for its speed and performance, especially with large repositories and complex histories. It is designed to be fast and efficient, which makes it suitable for large-scale projects.
  • Simplicity
    Mercurial has a simpler command set compared to other SCMs like Git. The straightforwardness of its commands can make it easier to learn and use, particularly for new users.
  • Cross-platform Support
    Mercurial is a cross-platform tool that works well on a variety of operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it versatile for development teams using different environments.
  • Strong Documentation
    Mercurial offers comprehensive and well-structured documentation which can be very helpful for both beginners and advanced users. The documentation covers a wide range of topics from basics to more complex usage.
  • Branching Model
    Mercurial uses a simpler and more intuitive branching model compared to Git. This can make branch handling more straightforward, reducing the complexity for developers.

Possible disadvantages of Mercurial SCM

  • Smaller Community
    Mercurial has a smaller user base and community compared to Git. This might result in fewer third-party tools, plugins, and resources available for Mercurial.
  • Market Share
    Git has largely dominated the market share for SCM tools. This might make Mercurial less attractive for enterprises and developers who prefer widely-adopted tools with broad industry support.
  • Tool Integration
    Some software tools and services offer better integration with Git than with Mercurial. This can limit the choices for CI/CD pipelines or other development tools that are often built with Git compatibility first.
  • Complex History Management
    While Mercurial’s simpler commands are an advantage, it can make some complex history management tasks more challenging compared to Git, which has a more powerful set of tools for such purposes.
  • Feature Lag
    New features and updates in source control management tend to appear in Git before they make their way to Mercurial, if at all. This lag can be a disadvantage for teams looking to use the latest advancements in SCM.

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.

Analysis of Mercurial SCM

Overall verdict

  • Mercurial SCM is a reliable and effective tool for version control, especially suited for teams and projects that need a straightforward yet powerful system. While it might not be as popular as Git, it excels in areas such as ease of learning and use, making it an excellent choice for developers who prioritize these qualities.

Why this product is good

  • Mercurial is a distributed version control system known for its simplicity, performance, and powerful branching capabilities. It is particularly favored for its ease of use, efficient handling of large codebases, and capability to work well within both small and large teams. Mercurial offers a consistent command-line interface and has robust support for concurrent development, making it a solid choice for many development environments.

Recommended for

  • Teams that need a simple and intuitive interface for version control
  • Projects requiring efficient handling of large or complex codebases
  • Developers new to version control systems who are looking for an easy-to-learn tool
  • Development environments where consistent and clear version control operations are critical
  • Organizations preferring an open-source solution with a strong focus on reliability and performance

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mercurial SCM and BitKeeper)
Git
82 82%
18% 18
Code Collaboration
81 81%
19% 19
Git Tools
83 83%
17% 17
Version Control
69 69%
31% 31

User comments

Share your experience with using Mercurial SCM and BitKeeper. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Mercurial SCM should be more popular than BitKeeper. It has been mentiond 2 times 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.

Mercurial SCM mentions (2)

  • Why so rude?
    Many people have asked me to write a blog post on my preference of Mercurial over Git and so far I've refused and will continue doing so for the foreseeable future. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Mercurial Paris Conference will take place on April 05-07 2023 in Paris France. Call for papers are open!
    Mercurial Paris Conference 2023 is a professional and technical conference around mercurial scm, a free, distributed source control management tool. Source: over 2 years ago

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mercurial SCM and BitKeeper, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

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

Apache Subversion - Mirror of Apache Subversion. Contribute to apache/subversion development by creating an account on GitHub.

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

Azure DevOps - Visual Studio dev tools & services make app development easy for any platform & language. Try our Mac & Windows code editor, IDE, or Azure DevOps for free.