Source Control Beyond Git: Alternatives and Use Cases

Source Control Beyond Git: Alternatives and Use Cases Git dominates many teams, but it is not the only option. Different projects have different needs, and a tool that works well for one group may feel heavy for another. Centralized history, closer auditing, or strong asset handling are common requirements that Git alone does not always optimize. Common alternatives include Subversion, Mercurial, and Perforce. Subversion (SVN) provides a centralized model with clear access controls and straightforward history, which helps teams that work within strict corporate or regulatory environments. Mercurial aims for a simple, predictable workflow and a gentle learning curve, making onboarding smoother for some teams. Perforce, known as Helix Core, handles very large codebases and assets well, with strong tooling for large teams, streaming workspaces, and granular licensing. Each option has tradeoffs in speed, scalability, and ecosystem. ...

September 22, 2025 · 2 min · 334 words

Version Control Beyond Git: Alternatives and Techniques

Version Control Beyond Git: Alternatives and Techniques Git dominates many projects, but it is not the only option. Different teams have different needs. Some prefer a centralized model for clear permissions, while others face large assets or ancient code bases that suit other tools. This article explores practical alternatives and techniques to manage code, history, and collaboration beyond Git. Mercurial and Subversion offer distinct approaches. Mercurial is a distributed version control system that many users find straightforward and consistent. Subversion is centralized, with a single repository and strong access controls. Perforce handles very large repos and binary assets well, offering solid performance and scalable collaboration. Each tool brings strengths in particular contexts, so choosing one depends on team size, asset types, and workflows. ...

September 21, 2025 · 2 min · 343 words