svnadmin - 'Dump' and 'HotCopy'

[Hughes, Trystan]

Hi have browse the mailing liast archive but can really find the simple answer I need. Also read the free online book, but that didn't really help.

My question: What really is the difference between 'svnadmin dump' and 'svnadmin hotcopy'? The 'dump' command is able to take a snapshot of the repository whilst it is still in use, so what really is the benefit of the 'hotcopy' command?

Thanks

Tryst

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[Branko Čibej]

Post by Hughes, Trystan
Hi have browse the mailing liast archive but can really find the simple answer I need. Also read the free online book, but that didn't really help.
My question: What really is the difference between 'svnadmin dump' and 'svnadmin hotcopy'? The 'dump' command is able to take a snapshot of the repository whilst it is still in use, so what really is the benefit of the 'hotcopy' command?

Time.

Hotcopy creates a copy of the whole repository. It's fast, but the copy
/is/ a complete operational repository, which means that you can only
use it with a server that understands the schema.

The format of the file created by "svnadmin dump" is independent of
repository back-end type or schema version, which means that you can use
it for long-term backups, or for migratiing from BDB to FSFS, etc.

We guarantee that the dump format will not change (apart from bugfixes),
and that newer versions of SVN will always be able to read dumps created
by older versions. We make no such guarantees about the repository format.

-- Brane

[Ulrich Eckhardt]

Post by Hughes, Trystan
My question: What really is the difference between 'svnadmin dump' and
'svnadmin hotcopy'? The 'dump' command is able to take a snapshot of the
repository whilst it is still in use, so what really is the benefit of the
'hotcopy' command?

You can't simply 'cp -r' a repository because there could be lockfiles inside,
and a concurrent commit might change things in the middle of your copying so
that the result is a mixture between two revisions. 'hotcopy' knows in what
order to copy things and and how to ensure data integrity - other than that
it is not much more than a filecopy.

'svnadmin dump' on the other hand dumps the content of the repository in a
standardised and portable format (remember, BDB databases are not portable
between platforms and versions!) suitable for backup.

One big difference is also that 'hotcopy' creates a complete repository,
including e.g. conffiles for the svnserve process while 'dump' only extracts
the revision data.

Uli

[Hughes, Trystan]

This is exactly the information I needed.:)

Grande Thanks, Brane.

Tryst

-----Original Message-----
From: Branko Čibej [mailto:***@xbc.nu]
Sent: Thu 12/05/2005 12:39
To: Hughes, Trystan
Cc: ***@subversion.tigris.org
Subject: Re: svnadmin - 'Dump' and 'HotCopy'

Post by Hughes, Trystan
Hi have browse the mailing liast archive but can really find the simple answer I need. Also read the free online book, but that didn't really help.
My question: What really is the difference between 'svnadmin dump' and 'svnadmin hotcopy'? The 'dump' command is able to take a snapshot of the repository whilst it is still in use, so what really is the benefit of the 'hotcopy' command?

Time.

Hotcopy creates a copy of the whole repository. It's fast, but the copy
/is/ a complete operational repository, which means that you can only
use it with a server that understands the schema.

The format of the file created by "svnadmin dump" is independent of
repository back-end type or schema version, which means that you can use
it for long-term backups, or for migratiing from BDB to FSFS, etc.

We guarantee that the dump format will not change (apart from bugfixes),
and that newer versions of SVN will always be able to read dumps created
by older versions. We make no such guarantees about the repository format.

-- Brane




The views expressed in this e-mail are not necessarily the views of AssetCo Group Limited,
its directors, officers or employees make no representation or accept any
liability for its accuracy or completeness unless expressly stated to the contrary.
This e-mail, and any attachments are strictly confidential and intended for the addressee(s) only.
The content may also contain legal, professional or other privileged information. Unless expressly
stated to the contrary, no contracts may be concluded on behalf of AssetCo Group Limited by means of
e-mail communication. You may report the matter by calling us on [phone].
Please ensure you have adequate virus protection before you open or detach any documents from this
transmission. AssetCo Group Limited does not accept any liability for viruses. AssetCo Group Limited
is registered in England: Company number: 4450947
Registered Office: Davidso