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Team Foundation Server vs SubVersion

Hi,

Did any one has done comprehensive report comparing Team Foundation Server vs SubVersion vs VSS ?

The comparison will be toward business decision.
- Cost analysis. How much saving if using TFS compare to others?
- Efficiency & Productivity?
- Quality Assurance.
- etc

Thanks,
John

John12312

Hi John,

I'm not aware of a published study comparing the three like you ask. The key difference between TFS and the rest is the highly integrated nature of Source Control with Worth Item tracking and the fact that you have a data warehouse on top of both.

In terms of raw source control features, TFS and Subversion compare well. Obvioulsy, TFS has the benefit of talking to SQL Server 2005, meaning that any SQL tools and knowledge can be used to backup the database etc, off the top of my head - Subversion lacks the shelving, the caching proxy and and lightwieght labelling features but does have a better offline story than TFS V1.

TFS, Subversion and things like Vault are great, modern, Source Control systems. You'll notice I left VSS out of that list :-). While the Source Control features of TFS are very good - it does much, much more stuff than version control...

M.

http://www.woodwardweb.com

Martin Woodward

SubVersion does not track merge history. That's a deal-killer in my mind for large projects.

The other thing to note is that SubVersion inherited its branch/tag/label semantics from CVS/RCS. If you're used to that system then you will probably find it easier to use than TFS at first. If you're used to something more like Vault or Perforce then the opposite is true.

Richard Berg MSFT

Thank's for all the feedback, look's like Team Foundation Server still new. Not too many business decision being make yet. Correct me if I am wrong.

I am trying to find out how to convince top level management to use Team Foundation Server.

However, thanks anyway for all the feedback.

John12312

While it is true to say that Team Foundation Server is new, plenty of businesses are already chosing to adopt it. Freely accessible published data like you ask for is hard to obtain - however there are numerous case studies on the Microsoft web site (http://msdn.microsoft.com/teamsystem).

You can also take a look at some other studies have been carried out. But then again, just because other people have decided to adopt the product doesn't mean that you have to. There is plenty of competition in the developer tools market for you to get the tools you need at a price that you can afford.

In terms of convincing your management, then an explaination of the integration between work item tracking and source control along with a cost comparison of buying the equivalent (not integrated) products for your organisation should do the trick.

Anyway, good luck.

All the best,

Martin.

http://www.woodwardweb.com

Martin Woodward

I should also mention that we have a great technical sales staff. Comparative analysis is their job, and they do it well (way better than an engineer like me, no doubt). If you call up and tell them your needs, other products you're considering, scope/budget, etc. they can help you choose the best option.

Richard Berg MSFT

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