Can anyone explain in simple terms what the difference is between configuration management and version control? From the descriptions I've been able to find on various websites, it seems like configuration management is just a fancy term for putting your config files in a source control repository. But others lead me to believe there is a more involved explanation.
9 Answers
Version control is the control of deliverables whereas configuration management is managing the entire process leading to produce the deliverables. Configuration management involves change management, project management, etc., which generally are not managed by simple version control.
In addition to everything said above I'd like to recommend Bob Aiello's book named "Configuration Management Best Practices" - http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321685865 . It covers all aspects of Software Configuration Management including version control.
This can be helpful.
Versions and configurations
Versions:
Ability to maintain several versions of an object.
Commonly found in many software engineering and concurrent engineering environments.
Merging and reconciliation of various versions is left to the application program
Some systems maintain a version graph
Configuration:
- A configuration is a collection compatible versions of modules of a software system (a version per module)
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