Subversion (SVN) is a popular version control system used for managing source code. It allows developers to track changes made to their code over time, collaborate with others, and easily revert back to previous versions if needed. One of the key features of SVN is the ability to merge changes from different branches into the main trunk. In this article, we will discuss the process of merging specific revisions into the trunk in Subversion.
Before we dive into the merging process, let's first understand the concept of branches and trunk in SVN. A branch is a separate copy of the codebase that is created to work on a specific feature or fix a bug. It allows developers to make changes without affecting the main codebase. On the other hand, the trunk is the main codebase where all the changes from different branches are ultimately merged.
Now, let's say you and your team have been working on a new feature in a branch called "feature-branch." After several commits, you have completed the feature and are ready to merge it into the trunk. However, during the development process, your team also made several bug fixes to the trunk. These changes need to be included in the feature before it is merged into the trunk. This is where merging specific revisions comes into play.
To merge specific revisions from a branch into the trunk, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Update your working copy
The first step is to make sure your working copy is up to date with the latest changes from the trunk. To do this, switch to the trunk using the "svn switch" command and then run "svn update" to fetch any new changes.
Step 2: Identify the revisions to be merged
Next, you need to identify the specific revisions that need to be merged from the feature branch into the trunk. You can do this by using the "svn log" command and looking for the revisions that contain the changes you want to merge.
Step 3: Perform a dry run merge
Before actually merging the changes, it is always a good practice to perform a dry run merge to see what changes will be applied. This can be done by using the "svn merge" command with the "--dry-run" flag. It will show you the list of files that will be modified without actually making any changes.
Step 4: Merge the revisions
Once you are satisfied with the dry run merge, you can proceed to merge the revisions into the trunk by using the "svn merge" command without the "--dry-run" flag. This will apply the changes to your working copy.
Step 5: Resolve any conflicts
During the merging process, there may be conflicts if the same lines of code were modified in both the trunk and the feature branch. In such cases, SVN will prompt you to resolve the conflicts manually. Once resolved, you can continue with the merging process.
Step 6: Test and commit the changes
After merging the revisions into the trunk, it is crucial to test the code thoroughly to ensure that everything is working as expected. Once you are confident that the code is stable, you can commit the changes to the trunk using the "svn commit" command.
Congratulations! You have successfully merged specific revisions from a branch into the trunk in Subversion. This process can be repeated for any future changes that need to be merged into the trunk.
In conclusion, SVN's merging capabilities make it a powerful tool for managing source code. By following the steps outlined
