Version Control

From Why should I use version control?:

Have you ever:

• Made a change to code, realised it was a mistake and wanted to revert back?

• Lost code or had a backup that was too old?
• Had to maintain multiple versions of a product?
• Wanted to see the difference between two (or more) versions of your code?
• Wanted to prove that a particular change broke or fixed a piece of code?
• Wanted to review the history of some code?
• Wanted to submit a change to someone else's code?
• Wanted to share your code, or let other people work on your code?
• Wanted to see how much work is being done, and where, when and by whom?
• Wanted to experiment with a new feature without interfering with working code?

In these cases, and no doubt others, a version control system should make your life easier.

To misquote a friend: A civilised tool for a civilised age.

Git and Github are the standard. Here are some resources:

• An entire section in Software Carpentry
• A tutorial written by the founder of Github
• A three-hour youtube video explaining git, Github, and science