Subversion (or svn) is a version control system similar to CVS but touting several improvements:
- versioning support for directories, files and meta-data
- history tracking across moves, copies and renames
- truly atomic commits
- cheap branching and merging operations
- efficient network usage
- offline diff and revert
- efficient handling of binary files
My current choice of Subversion clients is:
- the "MacPorts":MacPorts binaries
- SvnX for occasional tinkering.
- The excellent Finder plugin, that makes maintaining very large trees a snap.
Other Client Software:
- Standalone Binaries for Mac OS X that have SSL support and don't require Fink's ridiculously extensive dependencies.
- eSvn - QT-based front-end
- TortoiseSVN - kick-ass Windows shell extension.
Guides:
- Subversion for CVS Users
- Version Control With Subversion - the upcoming book
Front-Ends:
- CVSTrac has started moving towards Subversion support, which may solve most of my problems.
- Insurrection - a very nice DHTML-based front-end.
- Trac - a CVSTrac-like front-end for Subversion, using Python and a lot of outdated dependencies.
- TortoiseSVN - a Windows client similar to TortoiseCVS
Mac-Specific:
- Subversion and Interface Builder - stuff you should know before using it on Mac OS X.