# Problem creating SVN repository

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-creating-svn-repository/105261>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [May 28, 2007, 7:59am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-creating-svn-repository/105261 "2007-05-28T07:59:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/darrenevans)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2007, 7:59am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-creating-svn-repository/105261/1 "2007-05-28T07:59:56Z")

</div>

When I try to create the initial repository using RoR I get the  
following error:

```
Couldn't open a repository

```

svn: Unable to open an ra\_local session to URL  
svn: Unable to open repository ‘file:///c::/repository/schuljahre’  
Die Syntax für den Dateinamen, Verzeichnisnamen oder die  
Datenträgerbezeichnung ist falsch.  
svn: Can’t open file ‘\c::\repository\schuljahre\format’

```
Couldn't open a repository

```

svn: Unable to open an ra\_local session to URL  
svn: Unable to open repository ‘file:///c::/repository’  
Die Syntax für den Dateinamen, Verzeichnisnamen oder die  
Datenträgerbezeichnung ist falsch.  
svn: Can’t open file ‘\c::\repository\format’

```
Couldn't open a repository

```

svn: Unable to open an ra\_local session to URL  
svn: Unable to open repository ‘file:///c::’  
Die Syntax für den Dateinamen, Verzeichnisnamen oder die  
Datenträgerbezeichnung ist falsch.  
svn: Can’t open file ‘\c::\format’

mkdir -m “Initial import.” file:///c::  
Bad URL passed to RA layer  
svn: Unable to open an ra\_local session to URL  
svn: Local URL ‘file://’ contains only a hostname, no path

Anyone any idea what is causing this?

Thanks

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/darrenevans)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2007, 8:49am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-creating-svn-repository/105261/2 "2007-05-28T08:49:31Z")

</div>

do u have a svn deamon running? does the repository exist? (you need to  
create one first via svnadmin create )

?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/darrenevans)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2007, 9:01am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-creating-svn-repository/105261/3 "2007-05-28T09:01:37Z")

</div>

Subversion on Rails  
This episode will walk you through setting up a Rails project on  
subversion. It covers some helpful tips and gotchas you may experience  
along the way.

> **[\#36 Subversion on Rails - RailsCasts](http://railscasts.com/episodes/36-subversion-on-rails)**
>
> Short Ruby on Rails screencasts containing tips, tricks and tutorials. Great for both novice and experienced web developers.

I hope this could help you a bit. 🙂

On May 28, 7:59 am, Darren E. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@darrenevans](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/darrenevans)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2007, 11:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-creating-svn-repository/105261/4 "2007-05-28T11:58:53Z")

</div>

On 28/05/07, Darren E. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> When I try to create the initial repository using RoR I get the  
> following error:
> 
> ```
> Couldn't open a repository
> 
> ```
> 
> svn: Unable to open an ra\_local session to URL  
> svn: Unable to open repository ‘file:///c::/repository/schuljahre’

how did you try to create your repository?

there’s an free online-book on Subversion at  
[http://svnbook.red-bean.com/](http://svnbook.red-bean.com/)

-Thomas