Using Subversion (SVN) for version control? With SVN commands, you can work in SVN more efficiently. Here we list out some of the most popular Subversion commands along with an SVN cheat sheet. —
How to Display List of SVN Repositories
For example, using SVN commands can help you display a list of SVN repositories. Simply use the svn list repository command, and you'll get a list of all repositories and their contents.
📘 Related Resource: How to Host SVN Repositories
Of course, this is just one of many useful SVN commands you should know.
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Many teams have switched from SVN to Perforce P4 (formerly Helix Core). That's because P4 delivers greater speed, scale, and security. Because the commands are similar, it's easy to get started. Get it free for up to 5 users.
Subversion Commands - Basic SVN Commands
Here are the basic SVN commands that every developer and admin should know.
svn admincreate
The svn admincreate command creates a new, empty repository.
svn import
The svn import command commits an unversioned tree of files into a repository (and creates intermediate directories, if needed).
svn checkout
The svn checkout command checks out a working copy from the repository. This command is sometimes shortened to svn co.
svn commit
The svn commit command sends your changes back to the SVN server.
svn add
The svn add command will add a new file to the repository — but only after you've done a svn commit.
svn delete
The svn delete command will delete a file from your working copy of the repository.
svn list
The svn list command allows you to see a list of files in a repository without creating a working copy.
svn diff
The svn diff command reveals the differences between your working copy and the copy in the master SVN repository.
svn status
The svn status command prints the status of working copy files and directories.
svn info
The svn info command displays information about a local or remote item.
svn log
The svn log command shows log messages from the repository.
svn move
The svn move command moves a file from one directory to another (or renames it).
svn merge
The svn merge command combines two different versions into your working copy.
svn revert (i.e., undo svn add)
The svn revert command reverts changes in your working copy, as well as property changes. For example, you can use svn revert to undo svn add.
svn update
The svn update command updates your working copy with changes from the repository.
svn shelve
The svn shelve command stores your changes without submitting them.
svn help
The svn help command provides a summary of available commands.
Back to topBack to topAre You Using the Right Tool?
Discover the reasons why teams prefer Perforce P4 vs. Subversion.
SVN Commands Cheat Sheet
Need a handy SVN commands cheat sheet to reference?
Here, we've compiled a quick reference guide to every SVN command you'll need to know. We've also included the P4 command equivalent, if you're considering migrating to P4.
| Task | SVN Commands | P4 Commands |
|---|---|---|
| Create a new depot/repo. | svnadmin create | p4 depot |
| Add files to the depot/repo. | svn import | p4 reconcile, then p4 submit |
| Discard changes made to open files and revert back to latest synced version. | svn checkout -r <revision> url://path/to/repo | p4 revert |
| Copy files into the client workspace. | svn checkout <URL> <target_name> | p4 sync, then p4 edit |
| Send changes to the depot. | svn commit | p4 submit |
| Open files in a client workspace to add them to the depot. | svn add <file> , then svn commit | p4 add <file>, then p4 submit |
| Remove a file. | svn delete <file> | p4 delete <file> |
| Obtain list of files in a repository. | svn list | p4 files |
| Compare files on the client workspace with revisions in the depot. | svn diff <file> | p4 diff <file> |
| Display information about the workspace files. | svn status | p4 fstat, p4 opened, p4 have, p4 files |
| Display information about the current client and server. | svn info | p4 info |
| Provide information on changelists and changelists’ files. | svn log | p4 describe |
| Move a file. | svn move | p4 move |
| Combine two different revisions. | svn merge | p4 merge |
| Discard changes made to an open file. | svn revert <file or directory> | p4 revert <file or directory> |
| Obtain and update changes from the depot/repo to the client workspace. | svn update | p4 sync |
| Store files without submitting. | svn shelve | p4 shelve |
| Request help. | svn help | p4 help |
You can compare more commands at Mapping Subversion Terms and Commands to Perforce.
Back to topSwitch From SVN Commands to P4 Commands
P4 and SVN can both handle large files better than Git. And they do have many basic, similar commands. But this is where the similarities end.
Find out why SVN teams are migrating to P4 — and why your team should, too.
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More on SVN:
- TortoiseSVN
- SVN Branching
- How to Use SVN (and When to Migrate)