Revision Control

Fossil – distributed software configuration management system

Fossil is an open source distributed version control system, bug tracking system and wiki software server for use in software development. Fossil does not require a central server to function. Content is stored using a SQLite database.

Fossil is used for version control by the SQLite project, which is itself a component of Fossil. Fossil is a single self-contained program written in the C programming language.

Being distributed, Fossil requires no central server.

Key Features

  • Robust and lightweight in operation.
  • Built-in and intuitive web interface reducing project tracking complexity.
  • Uses ordinary HTTP (or HTTPS or SSH) for network communications, so it works fine from behind restrictive firewalls.
  • CGI/SCGI Enabled. This feature allows Fossil to be seamlessly integrated into a larger website.
  • Supports “autosync” mode which helps to keep projects moving forward by reducing the amount of needless forking and merging.
  • Content is stored using an enduring file format in an SQLite database so that transactions are atomic.
  • Bug Tracking.
  • Ticketing.
  • Web-based graphical user interface.
  • Autosync mode to remove the need to fork and merge. Autosync mode is reminiscent of CVS or SVN in that it automatically keeps your changes in synchronization with your co-workers through the use of a central server.
  • Simple HTTP with proxy support for network communications.
  • CGI enabled.
  • Immutable artefacts.
  • Works with repository files (a database with the project’s complete history) and with checked-out local trees.
  • Supports embedded documentation.
  • Built-in wiki.
  • News/Blog.
  • Simple, well-defined, enduring file format.
  • Single self-contained stand-alone executable.
  • Automatic replication and backup.
  • URL Aliases. URL Aliases allow an administrator to define their own URLs on the web interface that are rewritten to built-in URLs with specific parameters.

Website: www.fossil-scm.org
Support: FAQ, Quick Start Guide, Mailing List
Developer: D. Richard Hipp
License: 2-clause BSD license

Fossil

Fossil is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.


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Read our verdict in the software roundup.

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GitUsed in high profile open source projects, most notably the Linux kernel
JujutsuPowerful version control system for software projects
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SubversionGeneral system that can be used to manage any collection of files
DarcsAn advanced revision control system
FossilDistributed version control system
datDistributed data community for the next generation Web
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PijulSound and fast distributed version control system
CVSConcurrent Versions System
BreezyDecentralized revision control system supporting Bazaar and Git formats
MonotoneEspecially strong in its support of a diverge/merge workflow
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Read our verdict in the software roundup.


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