Now I have my repository set up, my code imported, and a working copy checked out that I am doing development on, I am going to release a snapshot of the current code as a beta, since I want some people to test it. In order to be able to keep working on the main code (in trunk) while I wait for feedback from testers I have to fork my code. If the testers find a problem and I fix it, I want to send out just the fix, not the current development version with the fix. Later I can merge the fix back into my main code.

Using subversion I do this by copying my code base in the trunk releases virtual folder into a new folder. After making sure that my project is checked in, I open svnX and make sure the correct revision is selected in the top pane. By selecting trunk:

and clicking on the svn copy button, I am given an opportunity to name and locate my new virtual folder:

I select branches as the location and fill in a name for the target of the copy. I add a message and hit commit:

And there is the new release in the wrong place. I meant to put it in releases. No matter. I just use the svn move button to move the beta1.0 folder to the right place:

Done. Now to work on the beta I check it out, or I can continue working on the trunk. If I check it out I have to create a set up a new build folder for it of course. Here is the current folder tree:

The other parts of this series can be found via the Cocoa page.

Tags: Subversion, Random Wok, Cocoa, Branching