version control
A system that records changes to files over time so that specific versions can be recalled, compared, and restored, enabling collaborative and auditable software development.
Full Definition
Version control (also called source control or revision control) is foundational to modern software development. Systems such as Git, Mercurial, and SVN track every change made to a codebase, who made it, and when, providing a complete history. In documentation, 'version control' is two words and lowercased. Editors should distinguish it from backup systems; version control is not merely a backup but a change-management and collaboration tool. Related terms include repository, branch, commit, and merge.
Usage
Usage note: Two words, lowercase. 'Source control' and 'revision control' are acceptable synonyms; prefer the platform's own terminology in platform-specific documentation.
In Context
- "All source code must be committed to the version control system before a release is tagged." — Software release checklist
- "Version control enables multiple developers to work on the same file without overwriting each other's changes." — Onboarding documentation