Recently,Here at the company, more than one programmer was appointed in charge for a LightSwitch(C#) software development project and immediately there was a need of some sort of source control/sync.We have never used Team Foundation Server but we'd gladly use it if it's worth it.Is it the right tool to use forsynchronising code betweenprogrammers?Does it have the needed features?Do you have any other tool inmind? (I have used TortoiseSVN butit was too simple and 'texty' if youknow what I mean, we need aprofessional tool)What other features does TeamFoundation has that we can use?(if you did not understand any of the above please ask me to clarify further)
The need for source control software - Team Foundation Server? or something different?
programming languages;version control;microsoft;team foundation server
Team foundation server is complete tool for ALM - application lifecycle management. The source control is only one part of the whole product. Among others it offers:Source control with configurable rules enforcing some code quality. I think it uses SQL server as repository (I'm not sure about that) so there can be some well known techniques for backups etc. It offers basic features like labeling, branching, merging and shelvingBuild agent to run automatic builds / tests / deploymentsProject templates to manage project development / requirements / tasks / bugs / project reports / milestones. Templates can be customized so there are for example templates for Agile project management available.Project portal with document libraries / wikis / etc. running on Sharepoint servicesDepending on your VS licenses it can provide some very advanced testing scenariosConfigurable notifications via emailWeb client for adding requirements and bugs without installed Visual Studioetc.TFS is commercial product. If you have MSDN subscribtions you will be fine otherwise you have to buy the server product and per user license (CAL). I'm not sure, but this can further require CALs for Windows Server, SQL Server and Sharepoint if you don't use Sharepoint Services.The truth is that each of these features has better equivalent on the market but TFS simply provides this as one product which is installed without any problems and fully integrated to visual studio out-of-the box (by installing Team explorer).For example I found Cruise Control or Team City as much more powerful tools for automatic builds.SVN is good source control (better then the one offered by TFS) but I found it more complicated to manage and use (TFS is really for everyone). TortoiseSVN is only extension to Windows Explorer. You can install AnkSvn and you will have integration with Visual Studio. 