Microsoft Visual SourceSafe vs darcs

Struggling to choose between Microsoft Visual SourceSafe and darcs? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe is a Development solution with tags like source-code, versioning, multiuser.

It boasts features such as Version control system for source code, Check-in/check-out capabilities, Version history and ability to roll back changes, Multi-user access with security controls, Integration with Visual Studio IDE, File locking to prevent conflicts, Branching and merging support, Centralized repository and pros including Easy to learn and use, Tight integration with Microsoft ecosystem, Good performance for small to midsize teams, Handles text files well, Low cost compared to other commercial options.

On the other hand, darcs is a Development product tagged with distributed, revision-control.

Its standout features include Distributed version control, Supports offline working, Efficient handling of large projects, Patch theory based approach, Interactive record and apply patches, Supports cherry picking changes, Built-in conflict resolution, and it shines with pros like Distributed model allows working offline, Efficient branching and merging, Interactive conflict resolution, Good for large projects with many contributors.

Feature	Microsoft Visual SourceSafe	darcs
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

Description: Microsoft Visual SourceSafe is a version control system that allows software teams to manage source code changes. It provides versioning, check-in/check-out capabilities, and supports multi-user access.

darcs

Description: darcs is a distributed revision control system designed for efficient handling of large projects. It has innovative features like patch commutation and tracking downwards history.

Key Features Comparison

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Features

• Version control system for source code
• Check-in/check-out capabilities
• Version history and ability to roll back changes
• Multi-user access with security controls
• Integration with Visual Studio IDE
• File locking to prevent conflicts
• Branching and merging support
• Centralized repository

darcs Features

• Distributed version control
• Supports offline working
• Efficient handling of large projects
• Patch theory based approach
• Interactive record and apply patches
• Supports cherry picking changes
• Built-in conflict resolution

Pros & Cons Analysis

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

Pros

• Easy to learn and use
• Tight integration with Microsoft ecosystem
• Good performance for small to midsize teams
• Handles text files well
• Low cost compared to other commercial options

Cons

• Limited scalability for large projects/teams
• No distributed version control support
• Less robust merging and branching capabilities
• Proprietary lock-in to Microsoft stack
• No longer under active development

darcs

Pros

• Distributed model allows working offline
• Efficient branching and merging
• Interactive conflict resolution
• Good for large projects with many contributors

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Slower than Git for some workflows
• Less active development than Git
• Smaller user community than Git or SVN

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based (for some versions)

darcs

• Open Source