SVN (Subversion) vs Vault: What are the differences?

SVN vs Vault: Key Differences

Subversion (SVN) and Vault are both version control systems used in software development, but they have several key differences.

1. Repository Structure: SVN uses a centralized repository structure, where all files and their versions are stored in a central server. On the other hand, Vault utilizes a distributed repository structure where each user has their own local copy of the repository, allowing for greater flexibility and faster performance.

2. Branch and Merge: SVN follows a copy-modify-merge approach for branching and merging. This means that when a branch is created, changes are made directly to the branch, and merging involves merging the changes from one branch to another. In contrast, Vault uses a lock-modify-unlock approach, where files are locked for exclusive editing during the branch, and merging involves merging the changes made in one branch with the main branch.

3. Performance: SVN can experience performance issues with large repositories as the centralized structure requires frequent network traffic and can slow down operations. Vault's distributed structure offers better performance, as it reduces network traffic and allows for faster access to files and versions.

4. Security and Permissions: SVN relies on server-side access control mechanisms, where access permissions are managed centrally. Vault, on the other hand, allows for finer-grained control over permissions by providing client-side access control, enabling users to control access to different parts of the repository directly.

5. Atomic Transactions: SVN supports atomic commits, which means that changes are either fully committed or entirely rolled back. This ensures data integrity even in case of failures. Vault, however, does not provide built-in support for atomic transactions, making it less reliable in terms of data integrity.

6. Tool Integration: SVN integrates well with numerous third-party tools and provides a wide range of plugins, making it easier to extend its functionality. Vault, although it does offer some integrations, has a lesser number of available plugins and integrations, limiting its extensibility.

In summary, SVN and Vault differ in their repository structure, branch and merge strategies, performance, security and permissions, support for atomic transactions, and tool integration. SVN follows a centralized approach, while Vault follows a distributed approach, offering different advantages and limitations in various aspects of version control.