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Surround SCM VS Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

Compare Surround SCM VS Microsoft Visual SourceSafe and see what are their differences

Surround SCM logo Surround SCM

Secure version control of digital assets.

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe logo Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe (VSS) is a source control software package oriented towards small...
  • Surround SCM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-22
  • Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-15

Surround SCM features and specs

  • Robust Version Control
    Surround SCM offers a comprehensive version control system that supports a variety of file types and branching strategies, allowing teams to efficiently manage changes and collaborate effectively.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    It is compatible with multiple operating systems, enabling users to integrate it into diverse IT environments without compatibility issues.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Surround SCM can be integrated with other tools for bug tracking, requirements management, and continuous integration, fostering a more connected workflow.
  • Security Features
    It provides robust security measures, including access controls and audit trails, to ensure that projects are protected and compliant with industry standards.
  • Graphical User Interface
    Offers a user-friendly GUI that simplifies the management of files and revisions, reducing the learning curve for new users.

Possible disadvantages of Surround SCM

  • Cost
    Surround SCM can be expensive for small teams or startups, as it may require significant investment to implement and maintain.
  • Complexity
    It may have a steeper learning curve for users not familiar with SCM tools, requiring additional training or support to utilize all features effectively.
  • Performance
    In some cases, users might experience performance issues, especially when dealing with large repositories or high-volume transactions.
  • Limited Community Support
    Being a commercial tool, it might not have as extensive a user community as open-source alternatives, leading to fewer resources for troubleshooting and best practices.
  • Interface Limitations
    While the GUI is effective, some users may find it outdated or not as intuitive as that of other modern SCM tools, impacting overall user experience.

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe features and specs

  • Integration with Microsoft Products
    Visual SourceSafe (VSS) is well-integrated with other Microsoft products, particularly older versions of Visual Studio, making it convenient for developers using Microsoft-based development environments.
  • Simple to Set Up
    VSS is relatively easy to install and configure, which can be beneficial for small teams or organizations looking for straightforward version control.
  • Basic Version Control Features
    It provides essential version control features like file locking, version history, branching, and merging, which can be adequate for smaller projects.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

  • Scalability Issues
    VSS is not well-suited for large projects or teams. It tends to suffer performance issues as the size of the codebase and the number of users increase.
  • Data Corruption Risks
    Known for potential data corruption issues, VSS requires frequent backups and careful maintenance to avoid loss of project data.
  • Limited Support and Updates
    As a discontinued product, VSS no longer receives updates or official support from Microsoft, making it a risky choice for long-term projects.
  • Primitive Branching and Merging
    VSS offers limited branching and merging capabilities compared to modern version control systems, making complex version control operations challenging.
  • Lacks Modern Features
    Lacks many modern features found in newer version control systems such as distributed version control, advanced conflict resolution, and robust collaboration tools.

Surround SCM videos

Performing a Code Review in Surround SCM

More videos:

  • Review - Conducting Code Reviews with Surround SCM
  • Review - Starting a Code Review in Surround SCM

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe videos

No Microsoft Visual SourceSafe videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Surround SCM and Microsoft Visual SourceSafe)
Git
58 58%
42% 42
Code Collaboration
59 59%
41% 41
Version Control
53 53%
47% 47
Git Tools
61 61%
39% 39

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Surround SCM and Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, 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.

Vault VCS - SourceGear Vault Pro is a version control and bug tracking solution for professional development teams. Vault Standard is for those who only want version control.

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

Helix Core - Helix Core is a scalable version control that securely manages all of your digital content and delivers files quickly to large, distributed teams.

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

Perforce - Self-hosted Version Control Software