Overview
SVN was created to be a better version of CVS (Concurrent Versions System). It uses a central repository where all files and their history are stored. Developers 'check out' files, make changes, and 'commit' them back to the server.
Key Characteristics
- Centralized: Requires a connection to the server for most operations.
- Atomic Commits: Either all changes in a commit are applied, or none are.
- Directory Versioning: Tracks changes to the directory structure, not just individual files.
Current Status
While still used in some legacy environments, it has largely been replaced by distributed systems like Git.