SourceGear Vault Source Control - Review & Overview
I’ve reviewed an application called SourceGear Vault. Their tagline is “A Compelling Replacement for VSS”, and it is just that. It’s file versioning and control system.
Background: Microsoft Visual Source Safe is a file based system managed entirely by its clients. Each client is responsible for security, reading, writing, etc.
So what is different about SourceGear Vault? Instead of a file based system, it uses a SQL Server 2000 database to store the file versions and changes. The client’s are written in C#. To outline the advantages and disadvantages, I’ve listed them below.
Pros:
- Looks and feels just like Source Safe
- Uses a SQL Server 2000 backend
- Corruption is less likely
- Speed is better
- Easier custom searching capabilities
- Can convert source safe database directly
- Written in C#, so their API’s could potentially be used for quick access, and avoid command line parameters.
- Source Safe is not recommended by Microsoft for large databases
- Integrates into Visual Studio 6/.NET 2003
- Visual Build Pro has built in support
- I believe it has a compatible command line interface
Cons:
- Not Free (about $100/developer in bulk)
- Would have to update existing build process