[wp-hackers] Switching from SVN

[Brian Layman]

On 12/9/2010 11:37 PM, Otto wrote:
> 10 years. SVN was created in 2000.
Actually the 6 years was rough guess at when the WordPress repositories 
came into being and were converted into SVN.  I remember when I first 
started using WordPress I'd grabbed the code using CVS and had even 
created my own repository for all the core hacks I did.. Ahhh the good 
old days..  That was like WP 1.2 and then it went to SVN not too 
terribly long after that. That had to have been 2004-2005ish right?

> See, having a local repository doesn't make any sense. I've never
> needed to roll-back my own changes locally. I just undo the changes
> myself. Or fix the problem. Why would you ever check in non-working
> code? You test the thing *before* you check it in (when possible). I
> don't check in code as I work on it. I work on it until it's working,
> then I check it in.
It all depends upon the paradigm.  It seems strange to me too, but I can 
definitely see advantages, especially in a corporate environment with 
many hands at various skill levels are in the mix.  The real issue I see 
is that you really don't use the repository iteratively. The WordPress 
repository functions almost primarily as a distribution tool, and is 
VERY unsuited for mid-development check ins.

Yet, surely you've had time where you've wanted to try an approach you 
know may be the way you want to go in the end?  Checking in before going 
down that path means that you have an easy way to go back to your 
original code. Having a local only check in means that it affects no-one 
else.   With your methodology, you would probably create a local copy 
outside of the repository.  Two different approaches, but one more 
easily allows the commented revisions to stay around longer and perhaps 
be revived at a later point.

Another added benefit is that, as you can check in each file in your 
batch of changes, you can take the time to comment what was done in 
each. Then after the all are in and the code as a whole is in a working 
state, you push to the hub.  That means there's no unlucky circumstances 
where someone does a check out while you only have half of your files in.

> A lot of WordPress treats the checked in code as "production" code.
> It's finished. Ready to run. All of WordPress core is pretty much
> runnable code, except for the occasional mistakes. [..]
> To me, that's the whole point: the checked in code is finished code,
> for the most part. I don't check in unfinished code.
Exactly. And with a local repository the only difference is that you 
have an option to safely use the repository iteratively and you'd have 
to change your wording to "I don't push unfinished code."


> why you'd want to have to do all this frickin' merging from the
> central back to your local all the bloody time.
LOL  That sounds so complicated and painful.  The only thing different 
for you is that you would do a push with each commit.  Heck, you'd 
probably even setup an automatic push on the post-commit hook so that 
you'd not have to ever even think about the _____ _____ ___ pushes again. :P

> And branching is a
> pain in the ass regardless of what type of system you use, so why
> would you want to do it more?
Because there's pain and then there is 
rolling-around-in-a-pile-of-razorblades-soaking-in-lemon-juice 
(Pronounced: merging branches via svn).  Merging branches may be tedious 
if you don't keep up to date with the changes in the trunk, but it 
doesn't have to be excruciating.

> In order to make a change, I have to
> download an entire frickin' repo and then create a branch? F- that,
> bro. That's really enough to keep me from even trying. That's why I
> avoid github, because it makes everything complicated. Give me the
> code, let me change it, let me send you the patch. That's easy. That
> way I'm dealing one-on-one with some person. Trying to figure out your
> wacky-ass system is a pain in the ass.
>
> Just saying. :)
>
> -Otto
I always like reading your posts :D

Then don't create a branch. That does seem silly!  You don't have to 
formalize your local check out as a branch.  In a practical sense, you 
can use git exactly like you use SVN.  From my experience, other than 
the three letters, the only /required/ difference is a push after the 
commits.

-Brian.