subject: What Is An Svn/cvs Vps Server? [print this page] In order to understand what an SVN or CVS VPS server is, you first have to understand the terms "SVN" and "CVS". SVN stands for "subversion." Subversion is a free software program from Apache License. It's a kind of version control system (VCS), or a system that will let you record any changes you make to the data on your website, your source code, or your design documents. Subversion maintains not only the updated versions of all the electronic files you have, but also versions of these files as they were at various points in the past. SVN is used widely in electronic projects that are open source: Apache, Ruby, Diango, PHP and Google Code, are only a few examples of such open-source programs.
Another popular kind of version control system is CVS, or a Concurrent Version System. (If you have a revision control system, then CVS is the front end to that system.) It allows you to create a large number of revision controlled files and organize these into directories. With CVS, these directories are arranged in a hierarchy, and you can also bundle the directories and the individual files into a software release.
By the way, it's interesting to note that some people would classify Subversion as a kind of Concurrent Version System. However, in many ways, SVN and CVS are competitors. In fact, when SVN was first developed in the late 1990's, its creators were seeking to replace CVS completely.
SVN and CVS are both available for hosted websites provided you have either a dedicated server or a virtual private server plan; they are not available for shared hosting. And unless you are a large business, your best bet is probably to go with VPS, as VPS is much cheaper than a dedicated server and yet it offers most-if not virtually all-the same control features. If you have Subversion VPS, you can install multiple clients on your account, or store an SVN repository in order to perform any SVN task you wish.
Many VPS web hosting companies will provide you with complete installation instructions should you choose to add either SVN or CVS to your account. There are also many thorough sets of instructions on the Internet. Either way, be sure you read the directions carefully and have a good grasp of the entire system before you attempt to install. You also want to make sure you understand all the commands you have at your disposal: you don't want to start using CVS unless you know what "CVS checkout" is, for example!
