So, you create a new project in your favorite code editor. You only ever interact with the files in that code editor what more is there, right? Well, what about if your computer crashes, the hard drive wipes out or what about if you decide you need help on the project and you have to share the files with someone else. What would you do then…

This is where source control can be your friend. Source control allows us to store the code files in a central location (or rather just a remote one) and share these files with anyone we wish, or no one at all. Source control is that control we all need put on our code to make sure that we have history of the code, backups when necessary and the ability to very effectively collaborate with developers. It also encourages better coding practices as we can work on several different features at once isolating the code for each one. As we finish a specific feature we can merge it into the main product code and then work on another feature until that one is done.

In collaboration, source control allows for multiple developers to work on the same code base and check their code into a central or shared repository. This way the developers can work separately and code their given pieces in peace without stepping on each other. Once they are ready to share the code they can. The only time issues may arise is if they both work on the same file at the same time. In that case they may have a little extra effort to merge the work together. The reality of the situation is working together would be much more difficult if they didn’t use source control. Can you imagine trying to share code projects through zip files, or even drop box.

In short, be smart get on the source control go-kart! (after all go-karts are more fun than band wagons!)