expression

version control

tracking and managing changes to code over time

In more detail

a system for managing changes to files and documents, especially in software development, that tracks who made changes, when they were made, and allows you to revert to earlier versions if needed

Examples

We use Git for version control to keep track of all changes to our code.

How to use version control

Version control is a technical term primarily used in software development and IT contexts to describe systematic approaches to managing file changes. It emphasizes the ability to track history, collaborate on code, and restore previous states. The term is now expanding to other fields like documentation and data management where change tracking is important.

Common phrases

version control system
version control software
implement version control
commit to version control
version control repository

Synonyms

revision control · source control · change management · version management

A common mistake

Learners sometimes treat 'version control' and 'backup' as synonymous, but version control offers much more functionality including detailed change tracking, branching, merging, and collaborative features that simple backups do not provide.

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