ITSW 2110 D197 Version Control

Correct Answer

A. Branching

Explanation

Branching is the process of creating a new codeline (or branch) from a specific version or commit in an existing codeline (main branch). This allows developers to work on new features or fixes in isolation, without affecting the main codebase. Once the work in the branch is complete, it can be merged back into the main branch.

Why other options are wrong

B. Merging

This option is incorrect because merging refers to the process of combining changes from different branches into a single branch, not the creation of a new codeline.

C. Codeline

This option is incorrect because a codeline refers to the version-controlled history of a set of files or a branch, but it does not specifically describe the process of creating a new branch.

D. Mainline

This option is incorrect because the mainline refers to the primary branch or trunk in a version control system, typically used to track the stable and production-ready versions of the software. It is not involved in creating a new codeline.

Correct Answer

C. It is fast, can handle large code bases, and is distributed.

Explanation

Git is known for being a highly efficient version control system. Its power comes from its ability to handle large codebases with speed and scalability, coupled with its distributed nature. Each user has a full copy of the repository, including its history, which allows for quicker operations. This distribution and efficiency are why Git is superior to earlier systems, which often required centralized servers and lacked Git's scalability and performance with large projects.

Why other options are wrong

A. It is open source and runs on multiple operating systems.

This option is partially true but doesn’t encompass why Git is more powerful. While Git is open-source and cross-platform, these characteristics alone do not explain its superiority over earlier systems. The power of Git lies more in its performance and architecture (distributed nature and speed) rather than simply being open-source or platform-independent.

B. It is open source, fast, and is distributed.

While this option is mostly accurate, it overlooks Git’s ability to handle large codebases. The combination of speed, distributed structure, and scalability to large projects is what truly distinguishes Git from other version control systems.

D. Developers can work concurrently on files.

This option is not entirely correct. While Git allows for concurrent work on files through branching and merging, this is a feature that is not exclusive to Git—many version control systems, such as Mercurial and Subversion, also offer this functionality. The concurrent work aspect alone does not fully explain why Git is considered more powerful.

Correct Answer

B. It is also known as source code management.

Explanation

Software version control (also known as source code management or SCM) is a system that tracks changes to code over time. It allows developers to work collaboratively, manage different versions of a project, and keep track of all modifications made. Version control is essential in managing the source code of software projects, particularly in teams, to prevent conflicts and enable easy tracking of code history.

Why other options are wrong

A. It is a naming convention for software releases

This is incorrect because version control is not about naming conventions but about tracking and managing changes to code. While version numbers might be assigned to software releases, version control itself is focused on the history and collaboration of code changes, not just naming.

C. It is the same thing as GitLab

This is incorrect because GitLab is a platform for hosting and managing Git repositories, but version control itself is a broader concept that involves any system used to track changes to software. GitLab is just one of the many tools that can help implement version control, but version control is not equivalent to GitLab itself.

D. None of the above are true

This is incorrect because option B accurately describes version control as also known as source code management.

Correct Answer

B. It enables multiple features to be developed simultaneously without affecting the main codebase.

Explanation

Branching in version control systems is a crucial feature that allows developers to work on different features, bug fixes, or experiments without affecting the main codebase (often referred to as the "master" or "main" branch). Developers can create a branch to isolate their changes and work on them independently, ensuring that the main line of development remains stable. Once the work is complete and tested, the branch can be merged back into the main branch, keeping the software development process organized and manageable.

Why other options are wrong

A. It allows for the main line of development to be altered directly.

This is incorrect because the main line of development is typically kept stable, and branching allows developers to avoid directly altering the main codebase. Changes are first made in a separate branch, and only after testing and review are they merged into the main branch.

C. It is used solely for merging changes from different developers.

This is incorrect because branching is not solely for merging changes. It is primarily used to work on different tasks in parallel. Merging is one of the operations that comes after branching, but branching itself allows for the isolation of tasks during development.

D. It restricts access to the main line of development.

This is incorrect because branching does not restrict access to the main line of development. Rather, it enables developers to continue their work in parallel while keeping the main codebase stable. Access to the main branch is not restricted; developers can still merge their branches when their work is ready.

Correct Answer

A. man git-cherry-pick

Explanation

On Linux, the man (manual) command is used to access detailed documentation for commands and utilities. To view information specifically about the cherry-pick command in Git, you would use man git-cherry-pick. This provides the full documentation for the cherry-pick command, explaining its usage, options, and examples. The other options listed are either invalid or point to incorrect paths for accessing Git documentation.

Why other options are wrong

B. man git -cherry-pick

This option is incorrect because the correct syntax for the man command is man git-cherry-pick. The -cherry-pick flag is not valid in this context and would not provide the intended documentation.

C. less .git/cherry-pick

This is incorrect because the .git directory is not where the manual for Git commands is stored. The less command is a pager used to view files, but .git/cherry-pick is not a valid file path for accessing Git's command documentation.

D. less .git/git-cherry-pick

This option is incorrect for the same reason as option C. The .git directory does not contain a file for the manual entry of Git commands. The documentation for git-cherry-pick is available via the man command, not through files in the .git directory.

Correct Answer

B. All teams committing their code into one trunk

Explanation

Trunk-based development is a software development practice where all team members commit their code directly into a single shared branch (often called the "trunk" or "main"). This strategy emphasizes frequent integration and collaboration to ensure that the main codebase remains up-to-date with all team contributions. By avoiding long-lived branches, it minimizes integration issues and encourages a culture of continuous delivery, where code is constantly integrated and tested in the main trunk.

Why other options are wrong

A. Teams with similar dependencies create one single branch for the team's work

This is incorrect because trunk-based development involves everyone working in a single shared branch, not multiple branches created based on team dependencies. Having multiple branches for different teams could lead to integration issues, which trunk-based development aims to prevent.

C. Every team works in their own trunk

This is incorrect because it contradicts the concept of trunk-based development, where the goal is to have all teams commit to the same main branch. Working in separate trunks can lead to difficulties in merging code and integrating changes.

D. Each developer maintains a separate branch

This is incorrect because in trunk-based development, developers do not maintain their own long-lived branches. Instead, they commit their changes to the trunk, ensuring the codebase is continuously updated. Long-lived branches would go against the principles of trunk-based development, where integration should happen regularly and frequently.

Correct Answer

B. Move the changes made to the working copy to the local repository

Explanation

In Git, the commit operation is used to save changes made in the working directory (local copy) into the local repository. When a developer edits files, they first stage those changes using git add. Then, using git commit, those staged changes are saved in the local repository along with a commit message describing the changes. This operation does not affect the master or remote repository until a git push is performed.

Why other options are wrong

A. Move the data from the local repository to the master copy of it

This is incorrect because the commit operation only saves changes in the local repository. To move data to the master copy (or the main branch), a git push is required, which transfers changes to the remote repository.

C. Move the changes made to the working copy to a repository

This option is too vague. The commit operation specifically moves the changes made in the working copy into the local repository. It does not move changes to a remote repository or to any arbitrary repository; it is a local operation only.

D. Clone repositories

This is incorrect because the git clone command is used to create a copy of a repository, not to commit changes. Cloning is typically done once when starting a new project, whereas committing is about saving changes to the local repository.

Correct Answer

B. Copies a portion of a codebase to isolate it from the original code

Explanation

Branching in version control systems is used to create a separate line of development, often to isolate work on a particular feature or bug fix. It involves copying a portion of the codebase into a new branch, allowing developers to work independently on changes without affecting the main codebase. This isolation helps to experiment and develop new features without disrupting the existing code until changes are ready to be merged back into the main branch.

Why other options are wrong

A. Combines two or more versions of code into a single codebase

This option is incorrect because combining multiple versions of code into a single codebase is typically done during the merge operation, not the branching process. Branching creates separate versions of the code but does not inherently combine them.

C. Should be done only once per user story, when the work first begins

This is incorrect because branching is not limited to only once per user story. While it's common to create a branch at the beginning of a user story, branches may be created multiple times throughout the development process, especially when handling different features or bug fixes simultaneously.

D. Should be done only once per Sprint, just after Sprint Planning

This option is incorrect because branching should not be restricted to a specific point in the Sprint. Developers can create branches as needed throughout the Sprint, depending on the tasks they are working on. It's more flexible and based on the work required, rather than being confined to the beginning of the Sprint.

Correct Answer

C. They enable tracking of changes, collaboration among team members, and provide backup options.

Explanation

Version control systems (VCS) are essential tools in software project management because they allow multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously without conflicts. VCS provide several benefits:

Tracking of changes: Every modification to the code is tracked, making it easier to identify what changes were made and by whom.

Collaboration: Developers can work on different parts of the code independently and merge their work seamlessly.

Backup options: The system stores previous versions of the code, which provides a safety net in case something goes wrong, allowing the team to revert to a previous version if needed.Why other options are wrong

A. They only store the final version of the software.

This is incorrect because version control systems store all versions of the software, not just the final one. They keep a history of changes, allowing users to access and revert to earlier versions as needed.

B. They allow developers to work independently without any tracking.

This is incorrect because version control systems actively track the changes made by developers. They are designed to provide a system for tracking changes, even when developers work independently. Without tracking, the main benefits of using a VCS would be lost.

D. They are primarily used for testing software performance.

This is incorrect because version control systems are not primarily used for testing software performance. Their primary function is to manage changes to code and support collaboration among developers. Testing performance is typically done with other tools, not within the version control system itself.