Subversion SVN with Visual Studio 2005

Question

Anyone know how I can use Subversion SVN source control in combination with VS .NET 2005 to have source control for a website served on IIS with Frontpage extension 2002?

Thanks in advance guys!

Answer 1

We did not specifically test VS 2005 with Subversion, so I would not be able to comment whether this is possible or not. You might need to talk to Subversion developers to resolve this.

Sorry for the lack of a better answer,
-Grigori

Answer 2

Roman,

I haven't gotten to try it myself.  But I was doing a little bit of research on this myself and came across this project.  http://ankhsvn.tigris.org

HTH,

Mikhey

Answer 3

I haven't tried it, but PushOk software has a SVN plugin. I don't know if it will work with VS.Net 2005. It might be worth downloading the trial.

http://www.pushok.com/soft_svn.php

Answer 4

Another SubVersion plugin is available here http://nidaros.homedns.org/subway/

Alin

Answer 5

According to their website, that one (Subway) hasn't been tested on anything other than VS.NET 2002. I remember reading somewhere that some IDE APIs had changed, and that it probably wouldn't work? I'll be testing Subversion's Ankh soon...

Answer 6

The MSSCCI interface has changed in VS2003/VS2005 by adding new functions; however, it is backward compatible, so theoretically providers that worked with VS2002 should work with VS2005, too.

By implementing the newly added functions, the user experience will improve (e.g. for web projects, rename and deletes, etc)

Alin

Answer 7

Over the last few days I've tried many many tools associated with SVN, and only a few of them passed the test. My requirements were:

• able to support the "_svn" folder instead of the default ".svn" working folder
• able to support unicode (asian/middle eastern/mathematical characters)
• work on Windows properly

I'd recommend using:

• TortoiseSVN, a good Windows Explorer extension, despite it's lack of support of Unicode support in any of its Diff tools. http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/download.html
• AnkhSVN -not a true SCC plug-in, instead works as an add-in, but has much better functionality that the other couple of SCC controls that I've tried. http://ankhsvn.tigris.org/
• SVN Explorer - pretty basic tool, but at least provides a stable Explorer-like stand-alone repository explorer. http://kafana.org/SvnExplorer/
• WinMerge - an excellent freeware open-source file Difference viewer, and merge tool WITH unicode support (use the WinMergeU.exe file). http://winmerge.sourceforge.net/downloads.php
• imageDiff - good free tool for comparing two images for changes. http://www.download.com/ImageDiff/3000-2192_4-10401779.html. Note: connects to the internet to display ads in a pane at the bottom, but if you use Zonealarm, then disable Internet access, whilst allowing access to the trusted zone. This prevents the program from freezing, without allowing it to display ads.
• Finally - WebReports8, another VSS.NET add-in. I haven't actually finished trying this, but it has some nice features. You'll have to re-compile it with the "_scc" option. See here http://www.codeproject.com/dotnet/file_diff_and_webreports.asp#xx1167087xx read the details on the modification that needs to be performed, then scroll up to the main article)

The other SCC extensions that I've tried don't even allow binding to the SCC repository. I actually think Visual Source Safe explorer (v6.0) is quite a good front-end (again, despite its Unicode support), as it's Diff tools are reasonable, easy to use (and easily invoked from within the explorer), and allow directory comparisons against the Source repository. Forget the other issues with VSS (size restrictions, slow, other shortcomings), out of all of the SVN tools that I've tried, I still haven't found anything like the VSS front-end that provides a one-stop shop for doing the repository management in a nice, easy to use front-end.

Answer 8

Hi Christopher,

>  I actually think Visual Source Safe explorer (v6.0) is quite a good front-end (again, despite its Unicode support),

If you need Unicode support and ANSI codepages support), you might want to look at VSS2005 instead. The diff tool can also be invoked standalone (like ssexp.exe /diff, etc)

Alin

Answer 9

Alin - I'm sure your right, and that MS has done a great job with VSS2005. However, I'm an MSDN Prof. subscriber, and VSS2005 doesn't come with my subscription. I've forked out enough money for that to get Visual Studio, and I'm not going to pay extra for VSS 2005 - which should have been included.

I'm sure this isn't the place for the argument - it's been documented well enough in other forums along these lines.

Anyway, as a result, I've turned to open source, and am currently in the process of migrating to Subversion.

Answer 10

From all of the different tools that I've used, SmartSVN (available at http://www.smartcvs.com/smartsvn/) is the most similar to Microsoft Visual Source Safe (VSS). It's possible to set working directories etc.

I decided that AnkhSvn still has a way to go -stability wise - with files, without causing too much extra hassle (especially with renaming of files, or with differences in the case of existing files - eg. myFile.SQL vs myFile.sql - really cause it some pain). So I wrote a fairly simple .NET Add-In (IDE 2005) to do basic SVN operations via the Tortoise process - Diffs and Check for modifications. It doesn't work with DB projects though (I don't have the time to spend writing code which traverses the UI hierarchy and reads the project files to find which files are selected).

If anyone wants a copy, I'm happy to email the binaries.

Answer 11

i would love a copy of the binaries for your vs 2005 addin

Answer 12

I have made the utility available on a Utilities website that I've created:

http://devutilities.googlepages.com/home

[Note that this posting has been edited. It used to indicate that those wishing to obtain a copy of the binaries should email myself. It is now possible to download a copy by oneself]

Answer 13

I would also love a copy of your addin.  If you have source that would be nice too.  Maybe put a link to it on a web server otherwise I'm [e-mail] to send it to me and thanks a lot.  ALl I've been trying is tortoise and I would love .net integration and I'd do some work on it if I had the code.

Answer 14

keyosuke wrote:

I would also love a copy of your addin. If you have source that would be nice too. Maybe put a link to it on a web server otherwise I'm [e-mail] to send it to me and thanks a lot. ALl I've been trying is tortoise and I would love .net integration and I'd do some work on it if I had the code.

I've sent you the binaries. I'm not planning on making the source available at any time soon, as it's integrated with some of my other projects. Please note that the AnkhSVN product, which also integrates with the .NET IDE is available from http://ankhsvn.tigris.org/ The source for this product is also available.

The source code from which I modeled my version of the .NET add-in (for anyone who is interested in doing .NET add-in development), is at the Code Project, at the following location:
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/WebReports8.asp. This example also has some limited subversion support, however I wrote my own add-in because I wanted to be able to use the (excellent) open-source WinMerge program, which I highly recommend. It's available here: http://winmerge.sourceforge.net/. The reason I highly recommend it is because it's got excellent support for Unicode, something which most diff/merge tools lack.

Answer 15

Hello Folks,

I dont know if this issue has been resolved yet, but, my company is also in the throws of migrating to Subversion. We have started working with "AhnkSVN" which is a plugin for VS2005 .NET for Subversion that works really nice.

You can get info here: http://ankhsvn.tigris.org/

This is an OpenSource tool and is currently in beta, although, for a beta application, it is fairly complete and like Subversion, extremely stable. Developers at my company appear to be sold on it at this point, as am I.

Hope this helps,
Mike

Answer 16

Have a look at VisualSVN. It provides simple and reliable Subversion integration for Visual Studio 2003 & 2005. Uses the best Subversion client TortoiseSVN for user interface.

Answer 17

Hi,

Thanks for point to Visual SVN.

This tool seems to be the only other alternative to ankhsnv. Have you used this tool yourself? If yes, whats your opinion on this tool? Do you find it stable enough for use in a production environment?

Many thanks,
Hitesh

Answer 18

Hi Hitesh,

Actually I take part in developing VisualSVN. The product is used by our team, a lot of individual developers and several commercial organizations in production enviroment. So it's stable enough. Have a look at it!

Best regards,
Fyodor

Answer 19

I'm sure many people have encounterd the problems that Ankhsvn has with file renames in Visual Studio, so I'd like to share how I rename files.

Follow the following steps:

1. close all files in Visual Studio (or at least the file that you wish to rename)
2. In Windows Explorer, use the SVN integrated contex menu command “Rename” to rename the file. This ensures it’s done properly with SVN. Standard Windows rename doesn’t work.
3. Once done, back in VS.NET, refresh the project. In the project, remove the file that no longer exists (the old file name), and include the new file (right-click -> Include in project).
   

 This process is a bit tedious, but it’ll ensure it works. A rename is actually several steps in SVN:

• SVN Copy the file from the old file name to the new file name (in effect creating two hard-links to the file)
• Delete the original hard link
  

If you just use Windows rename, then you’ll lose the continuation of your history for the file (the history will still be available for the deleted file, however, it will just start again from the new file).

Answer 20

Just wanted to note that having VisualSVN installed you can simply rename files and folders in Visual Studio - VisualSVN will handle changes in Subversion working copy. Moreover you can rename files several times without losing history - as far as I know, no other product supports this now.

Answer 21

sheremetyev - Just out of interest, does VisualSVN support Database Projects?

Answer 22

Christopher - Yes, VisualSVN supports renaming files in Database Projects. There is no context operations in context menu for this kind of project, but all operations from main menu (Commit, Update, etc.) work for Database Projects too.

Answer 23

This post may be dead now, but I found it whilst looking into integrating TortoiseSVN into VS 2005. I found this blog posting which describes how to do the integration, although I haven't tried it yet:
http://garrys-brain.blogspot.com/2006/10/tortoisesvn-vsnet-2005-good-stuff.html
There are a couple of postings previous to this one that should be read in conjunction.

Answer 24

It'd be great if you let everyone know if it works (if you do decide to try it!). From the screen-dumps, though, it looks promising. I'd be especially interested to know whether it works with Database Projects?

Answer 25

Hi there,

I put that post up.  It's simply a .vssettings file for Visual Studio 2005.  The integration is done via external tools so it works in the Express editions as well.  The UI customisation is mainly removing SourceSafe from the menus and adding a Subversion toolbar, menu, and context menus.

It should work pretty seamlessly with all types of files and projects (the context menu for solutions and items have been altered).  Someone did post a comment saying that they had it working on Vista x64...  It's probably not the most fully integrated way to do it (with all the COM interfaces), but it does the job transparently, plus the dialogs are not modal at all so you can do whatever you want asynchronously.

Garry

Answer 26

You failed to mention the VisualSVN is a commercial product.  It is neither free or open source.

-Fish

Answer 27

I would not touch VSS with the end of a very long and very Sh1tty stick.... 

Sorry but m$ are good at manythings, but code repositories ain't one of them..

-Fish

Answer 28

Hi  СђrΐsτσρhΞr,

 

I've got to mention BC as a very nice compare tool: www.scootersoftware.com

 

Jeremy

Answer 29

 

TamTam SVN SCC - Subversion plugin for Visual Studio .Net

 

I've been developing a Microsoft Source Code Control Interface plugin for Subversion that works with Visual Studio .Net and another other application that supports the MSSCCI specification. This implementation uses the svn.exe command-line client so little should break across releases and of the core subversion product. The release is currently in BETA and I expect to have the full release available in July 2007.

 

You can download the latest release here ...

http://www.daveswebsite.com/software/tamtamsvn/

Answer 30

 

VisualSVN is also a good plugin for Visual Studio. It is compatible with VS2003 & 2005.

 

http://www.visualsvn.com/

Answer 31

Following related information might be interesting for some readers:

 

SvnBridge allows you to use TortoiseSVN and other Subversion clients with Team Foundation Server. It converts the calls made by your Subversion client to the API supported by TFS.

 

See project details on codeplex.com...

Answer 32

You should also try this plugin:

http://aigenta.com/products/UnifiedScc.aspx

It provides MSSCCI-compatible version control integration for Subversion and CVS, and it can be used with Visual Studio or any other program supporting this interface

Answer 33

Agent SVN integrates Subversion with Visual Studio - http://www.zeusedit.com/agent/

Answer 34

VsTortoise - a TortoiseSVN add-in for Visual Studio 2005/2008

Answer 35

tusvnaddin - You may also use open source SVN add on for visual studio 2008/2005 WINXP/WIN7.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tusvnaddin/