Fossil
Fossil is an open-source, distributed version control system featuring integrated bug tracking, wiki, and tech notes. It emphasizes simplicity and security over bells and whistles.
opensource
distributed
version-control
bug-tracking
wiki
tech-notes
simplicity
security
Fossil: Open-Source Version Control
Distributed version control system with integrated bug tracking, wiki, and tech notes, prioritizing simplicity and security over features
What is Fossil?
Fossil is an open-source, distributed version control system developed by D. Richard Hipp. It emphasizes simplicity, security, and data integrity over features commonly found in other version control systems.
Some key features and capabilities of Fossil include:
- Distributed architecture - Allows geographically distributed teams to collaborate on a project
- Integrated bug tracking - Tightly integrates with the version control system
- Wiki support - Each repository can have a built-in wiki for documentation
- Web interface - Repositories can be browsed and managed through a web UI
- Efficient storage - Uses compressed manifests and deltas for efficient storage
- Strong security - Cryptographic hashes protect against tampering and corruption
Unlike Git and Mercurial, Fossil strives to be simple to use and maintain high integrity at the expense of extensive customization options. It's best suited for small- to medium-sized projects that value a simple workflow with integrated bug tracking.
Fossil Features
Features
- Distributed version control
- Integrated bug tracking
- Wiki
- Tech notes
- Web interface
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Simple and easy to use
Lightweight and fast
Good for small projects
Built-in wiki and bug tracking
No network access required for most operations
Cons
Not suitable for large projects
Limited adoption and community support
No network transparency
Weak branching and merging capabilities
Official Links
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