At Secret Chest, we want to manage everything like we manage software, which is to say we'd love a layer of version control and an audit history for everything. It's not exactly possible, but it's possible more than we'd think.
Software version control is a system that helps software developers track and manage changes to their code. It allows developers to work on different versions of the code at the same time, and to easily revert to previous versions if necessary. There are many different software version control systems available, such as Git (with GitHub and GitLab), Mercurial, and Subversion (one of the oldest, written in 2000). Each system has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose one that's right for your needs.
Once you've chosen a software version control system, you need to decide on a strategy for using it. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Commit early and often. This will help you track your changes and make it easier to revert to a previous version if necessary.
Use descriptive commit messages. This will help you and your team understand what changes were made in each commit.
Use branches. Branches allow you to work on different versions of the code at the same time. This is a great way to experiment with new features or fix bugs without affecting the main branch of the code.
Merge changes regularly. This will help you keep your code up-to-date and avoid conflicts.
Use a continuous integration (CI) server. A CI server can automatically build and test your code after each commit. This is a great way to catch errors early on and ensure that your code is always working.
By following these tips, you can create a software version control strategy that will help you and your team work more efficiently and effectively. Here are some additional tips for creating a software version control strategy:
Involve your team. The best software version control strategies are the ones that are created by and for the team that will be using them. Get input from your team members on what features are important to them and how they would like to use the system.
Start small. Don't try to implement a complex software version control strategy all at once. Start with a simple strategy and then add more features as needed.
Be flexible. Software development is an iterative process, so your software version control strategy should be flexible enough to adapt to changes. Be prepared to make changes to your strategy as your needs evolve.
Use the right tools. There are many different software version control systems available. Choose one that's right for your needs and that your team is comfortable using.
Get training. If you're not familiar with software version control, get training from a qualified instructor. This will help you learn how to use the system effectively and avoid common mistakes.
One other thought is that when we try to manage everything else the way we manage software, it often relies on custom scripts that wrap up API endpoints and custom workflows. We also might need breakpoints at each step along the way to get keys where we want them. This is one place where Secret Chest can be helpful. To learn more about us, check out our private beta!