VersionEEringWhy and how to use versioncontrol with ExpressionEngine.

What is version control?

What is version control?A program that tracks changes to files and folders for you.

Also goes by these names.Source Control Manager (SCM)Revision Control System (RCS)Version Control System (VCS)That-Thing-That-Just-Saved-My-Ass

Different flavors?Yup. Each has its own way of tracking your changes. Here are a few:

CVS - SVN - Git - Mercurial - Bazaar Darcs - Perforce - Fossil - BitKeeper

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_revision_control_software

What kinds of files?Text! But also:

GraphicsBinaryWHATEVER YOU WANT.

Why use version control?

Because this sucks.

Because this sucks.

Because this really, really sucks.

How to get started.No servers, nothing fancy -this is all local, baby. So no excuses.

1. Pick a system.We’re going with Git.

2. Install it on your computer.http://git-scm.com/download

$  cd  ~/Sites/myproject$  git  init$  git  add  .

$  git  commit  -­‐m  "Initial  commit."

Change to the project folder.Initialize the repository.Add everything in the project folder to the repository.Make your first commit.

3. Set up a repository for your existing project.

4. Make some changes, and commit them.

$  git  status$  git  add  index.html$  git  status

$  git  commit  -­‐m  "Added  homepage."

Tell me what’s changed. (New file!)Add the new file to the repository.Tell me what’s changed. (Just making sure we didn’t miss anything.)Commit the change.

5. Rinse and repeat until you’re ready to share.

A Basic WorkflowOne way to use version control in practice, with actual live websites.

1. Define your environments.

Some popular ones:

- Local- Development (overkill for team of one)- Staging (can be same as Development)- Live

Workflow show ‘n tell

Git and EE, sitting in a tree.

Gotcha #1:Paths.Let’s play with settings!

1. Make all paths in the Control Panel relative.EE1: Admin > System Preferences > General Configuration

EE2: Admin > General Configuration

Don’t forget uploaded files and generated images.EE1:Admin > System Preferences > Captcha Preferences(Each upload destination) Admin >Channel Administration > File Upload Preferences(Each channel) Admin > Channel Administration > Channel Management > Edit Channel Preferences

EE2: Admin > Content Administration > File Upload Preferences

Gotcha #2:Environment variables.Let’s play with config files!

Gotcha #3:User-generated files.Keeping filesystems in sync.

Gotcha #4:Databases.Pick your poison.

Further ResourcesNew to version control? Check out Version Control for Designers: http://hoth.entp.com/output/git_for_designers.html

Not new to version control, but new to Git? Check out Git Reference: http://gitref.org/

More on the topic of Git and EE:

http://gititon.masugadesign.com/ <-- A++ WOULD RECOMMEND

http://j.mp/ee2multiserver