What is version control systems in Devops?
Tags: devops
Published: 2023-07-24 06:49:22

In DevOps, a version control system (VCS) is a critical tool used to manage changes to source code, configuration files, and other artifacts throughout the software development lifecycle. It enables teams of developers to collaborate effectively, track modifications, and maintain a history of their codebase.

 The primary goal of a version control system is to provide a centralized or distributed repository for storing code and related assets while allowing multiple team members to work on the same project simultaneously. A part fom it by obtaining [DevOps Certification](https://www.edureka.co/devops-certification-training), you can advance your career in DevOps. With this course, you can demonstrate your expertise in Power BI Desktop, Architecture, DAX, Service, Mobile Apps, Reports, many more fundamental concepts, and many more critical concepts among others.

**There are two main types of version control systems:**

1. **Centralized Version Control Systems (CVCS):**
In a CVCS, there is a central server that hosts the repository, and developers check out files from this central repository to work on them locally. When a developer makes changes to the code, they commit the modifications back to the central repository. This approach provides a single source of truth and a unified view of the codebase for all team members.

However, a drawback of CVCS is that if the central server goes down or experiences issues, it can hinder collaboration and development. Additionally, network connectivity is required to access the central repository, which can be a limitation in distributed or remote teams.

Examples of CVCS include Apache Subversion (SVN) and Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC).

2. **Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS):**
In a DVCS, each developer maintains a complete copy of the repository, including the entire version history, on their local machine. This allows developers to work independently and efficiently without the need for constant network connectivity. They can make changes, commit them to their local repository, and later synchronize those changes with other repositories.

DVCS provides greater flexibility, scalability, and resilience compared to CVCS, as the loss of a single repository does not affect the others. It also enables more streamlined branching and merging workflows, making it easier to manage complex development processes.

Examples of DVCS include Git, Mercurial, and Bazaar. Among these, Git has become the most widely used version control system in the DevOps community due to its speed, distributed nature, and robust features.

**Key benefits of using version control systems in DevOps include:**

1. **Collaboration:** Team members can work together on the same project simultaneously, regardless of their geographical location.

2. **History and Traceability:** Version control systems maintain a chronological record of all changes, allowing developers to track the evolution of the code and easily revert to previous versions if needed.

3. **Branching and Merging:** Version control systems enable developers to create branches, isolating specific features or bug fixes, and later merge them back into the main codebase, facilitating parallel development.

4. **Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD):** Integration with CI/CD pipelines is seamless with version control systems, automating the testing and deployment processes for increased efficiency and quality.

5. **Code Reviews and Auditing:** Version control systems support code review workflows, helping teams ensure code quality and security. Additionally, they provide audit logs for compliance purposes.

By incorporating version control systems into their DevOps practices, organizations can improve collaboration, increase development speed, maintain code quality, and enhance overall software delivery processes.