Keeping an svn:external up to date with git-svn
SVN and Git are two popular version control systems used by developers to manage their codebase. While SVN is a centralized system, Git is a distributed one. However, there are situations where developers need to use both systems simultaneously. In such cases, the svn:external property comes in handy as it allows developers to incorporate external code repositories into their main SVN repository. But what happens when one of those external repositories is managed with git-svn? In this article, we will explore how to keep an svn:external up to date with git-svn.
Understanding svn:external
Before we dive into the process of keeping an svn:external up to date with git-svn, let's first understand what the svn:external property is. In simple terms, svn:external is a property that allows you to include external code repositories into your main SVN repository. This is useful when you have code that is shared between multiple projects or teams. The external repository is referenced by its URL, and any changes made to the external repository will automatically reflect in your main repository.
The Challenge of git-svn
Git-svn is a tool that allows developers to interact with SVN repositories using Git commands. It is commonly used when developers want to access an SVN repository from a Git client. However, git-svn has its own limitations when it comes to handling svn:externals. Git-svn does not update the externals automatically, and this can lead to conflicts and outdated code.
Updating svn:external with git-svn
To keep an svn:external up to date with git-svn, follow these steps:
Step 1: Clone the SVN repository with git-svn
The first step is to clone the SVN repository using git-svn. This will create a local Git repository that is connected to the SVN repository.
Step 2: Add the svn:external property
Next, you need to add the svn:external property to the local repository. This can be done by editing the .git/config file and adding the external repository URL under the [svn-remote "svn"] section.
Step 3: Fetch the latest changes from the external repository
Now, you need to fetch the latest changes from the external repository. This can be done by running the command "git svn fetch". This will pull the changes from the external repository and update the local repository.
Step 4: Update the svn:external
To update the svn:external, you need to run the command "git svn rebase". This will merge the changes from the external repository into your local repository.
Step 5: Push the changes to the main SVN repository
Finally, you need to push the changes from the local repository to the main SVN repository. This can be done by running the command "git svn dcommit". This will update the svn:external property in the main repository with the latest changes from the external repository.
Conclusion
In this article, we have seen how to keep an svn:external up to date with git-svn. By following the steps mentioned above, you can ensure that your svn:external is always updated with the latest changes from the external repository. This will help you avoid conflicts and outdated code and keep your codebase in sync. So, the next time you have to work with an svn:external and git-svn, you know what to do!
