How to use the command 'git svn' (with examples)
The ‘git svn’ command provides bidirectional operation between a Subversion repository and Git. It allows users to interact with a Subversion repository using Git commands and features.
Use case 1: Clone an SVN repository
Code:
git svn clone https://example.com/subversion_repo local_dir
Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to create a Git clone of an existing Subversion repository. It allows you to work with the Subversion repository using Git and take advantage of Git’s features.
Explanation:
git svn clone: This command is used to create a new Git repository by cloning an existing Subversion repository and initialize Git-SVN metadata.https://example.com/subversion_repo: The URL of the Subversion repository to clone.local_dir: The directory where the local Git repository will be created.
Example Output:
Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/local_dir/.git/
...
Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/local_dir/.git/
...
Use case 2: Clone an SVN repository starting at a given revision number
Code:
git svn clone -r1234:HEAD https://svn.example.net/subversion/repo local_dir
Motivation: Sometimes you may want to clone a Subversion repository starting at a specific revision number. This use case allows you to create a Git clone of the Subversion repository starting at the desired revision.
Explanation:
-r1234:HEAD: This argument specifies the range of Subversion revisions to clone. In this example, it starts at revision 1234 and goes up to the latest revision HEAD.
Example Output:
...
Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/local_dir/.git/
...
Use case 3: Update local clone from the remote SVN repository
Code:
git svn rebase
Motivation: After making changes to your local Git clone, you may want to update it with the latest changes from the remote Subversion repository. This use case allows you to pull and apply the latest changes to your local clone.
Explanation:
git svn rebase: This command fetches the latest changes from the remote SVN repository and applies them to your local Git repository. It performs a merge operation between your local branch and the remote SVN branch.
Example Output:
Current branch master is up-to-date.
Use case 4: Fetch updates from the remote SVN repository without changing the Git HEAD
Code:
git svn fetch
Motivation: There may be instances when you want to fetch the latest changes from the remote Subversion repository without changing the current state of your Git HEAD. This use case allows you to only update the branch pointers in your local Git repository.
Explanation:
git svn fetch: This command fetches the latest changes from the remote SVN repository but does not update the working directory or change the current branch. It updates the remote tracking branches in your local Git repository.
Example Output:
...
r5678 = 2fdea9964a23a6378211b3f8f5d2848aa7c42359 (refs/remotes/git-svn)
...
r5679 = d24c47984420ba14975ddc1d2664b20d513d8e72 (refs/remotes/git-svn)
Use case 5: Commit back to the SVN repository
Code:
git svn dcommit
Motivation: Once you have made changes in the local Git repository, you may want to commit those changes back to the original Subversion repository. This use case allows you to push your changes from Git to SVN.
Explanation:
git svn dcommit: This command commits the changes in your local Git repository back to the SVN repository. It pushes your Git commits to the Subversion repository.
Example Output:
Committing to https://example.com/subversion_repo ...
M file.txt
Committed r1235
M another_file.txt
Committed r1236
M new_file.txt
Committed r1237
...
Conclusion:
The ‘git svn’ command is a powerful tool that enables bidirectional operation between Subversion and Git. By using the different use cases illustrated above, you can easily interact with a Subversion repository using Git commands and features. Whether you need to clone an SVN repository, update your local clone, fetch updates without changing the Git HEAD, or commit changes back to the SVN repository, the ‘git svn’ command has got you covered.
