# Should I learn git or subversion in order to launch and manage a site?

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/should-i-learn-git-or-subversion-in-order-to-launch-and-manage-a-site/165849>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [April 18, 2009, 8:26am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/should-i-learn-git-or-subversion-in-order-to-launch-and-manage-a-site/165849 "2009-04-18T08:26:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![david](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@david](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/david)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 8:26am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/should-i-learn-git-or-subversion-in-order-to-launch-and-manage-a-site/165849/1 "2009-04-18T08:26:39Z")

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I have never launched a site nor used any kind of source code  
management so I am wondering what makes sense to start learning in  
order to launch a site. I would like to be able to push edits to the  
site which will be hosted remotely. When it comes to maintaining a  
live site, is there anything about subversion or git that makes one  
better or easier to use than the other? Any other useful information  
is welcome.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![david](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@david](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/david)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 8:41am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/should-i-learn-git-or-subversion-in-order-to-launch-and-manage-a-site/165849/2 "2009-04-18T08:41:23Z")

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David wrote:

> I have never launched a site nor used any kind of source code  
> management so I am wondering what makes sense to start learning in  
> order to launch a site.

Well, it makes sense to learn HTML in order to launch a site…

> I would like to be able to push edits to the  
> site which will be hosted remotely. When it comes to maintaining a  
> live site, is there anything about subversion or git that makes one  
> better or easier to use than the other?

No. The differences between the two programs show up elsewhere. Git  
may be a little harder to understand for the first week or so, but it’s  
a lot more flexible than Subversion. I would advise you to use Git –  
but do eventually get familiar with both programs, as they represent two  
different paradigms in how to manage version control, and they’re both  
in common use.

Git is increasingly driving out Subversion, particularly in the Rails  
community.

Also get comfortable with Capistrano.

> Any other useful information  
> is welcome.

Your question is pretty vague as it stands. I’m sure we could tell you  
more if you were more specific.

## Best,

Marnen Laibow-Koser  
[http://www.marnen.org](http://www.marnen.org)  
removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![david](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@david](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/david)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/should-i-learn-git-or-subversion-in-order-to-launch-and-manage-a-site/165849/3 "2009-04-18T17:30:49Z")

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When I first started to use source control (started developing rails  
apps a number of months ago), I always found the subversion  
documentation rather daunting so I never really took to it. I watched  
the railscasts git episode and it seemed so easy that it was a joy for  
me to start using. I would definitely recommend GIT…at least start a  
repository and begin adding commits…you can pick up the more  
advanced techniques as you go!