Installing client tools for a collaborative environment
To collaborate within a development environment, a Version Control server and client tools are required. The server stores all the code, and allows developers to check a code in and out. The client tools enable the developers to interact with the server from their workstations.
Getting ready
In order to upload information into the environment, you will need a client tool. For this, Tortoise is the most well-known. A download is available from the website in either 32-bit or 64-bit — http://www.tortoisesvn.net.
How to do it...
The download will create an MSI file. This is a Microsoft package file, which when executed will install the software. Once Tortoise has been installed, it will require a reboot.
- Double-click on the
MSIpackage to start the installation.
- Accept the license agreement to continue:
- Select the default configuration to install:
- Click on the Install button to begin the installation:
- The installation begins as shown in the following screenshot. This process may take several minutes.
- Once complete, click on the Finish button:
- In Windows Explorer, if you right-click within your folders, you will get your Subversion menu. Select Repo-browser to connect to your SVN Repository.
How it works...
Storing code and information within Subversion allows developers to share information and version code, to maintain the most up-to-date information.
The following are a few Subversion tips:
- Check out: This creates a local version of the information on your hard drive
- Add: This adds a file or folder
- Update: This resyncs your copy of information with the server copy of information
- Commit: This saves your copy of information to the server
As a best practice, since multiple developers will be using the repository simultaneously, it is always recommended to update your copy before you continue to work.
Business intelligence and data warehouse projects involve a lot of artifacts. Understanding these artifacts you are creating using the RTM, and having a collaborative environment to work in, makes managing the project a lot easier.