Version control system for software code

• US 6,757,893 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Haikin, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US09/465,450
• Time in Patent Office: 1,656 Days
• Field of Search: 717/170
• US Class Current: 717/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management

Abstract

A software source code version control system for use during the development and maintenance of the software source code by multiple software developers in which historical version tracking is provided by maintaining the source code on a line-by-line basis in a source code storage, in which multiple versions of each source code line are stored in the source code storage, wherein each version has a corresponding version code and user code, thereby providing concurrent access to the software source code lines by multiple software developers for modification.

Claims

1. A method for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the plurality of source code lines maintained within a computer device having a memory, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis;

accessing, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines;

generating, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines;

receiving at least one edited source code line; and

storing, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding version code which contains information that identifies the version of the source code line to which the version code corresponds, and wherein the version code is stored within the source code storage.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a modification of one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of source code lines, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as a successor version to the version of the source code line that was modified.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a new source code line, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as an initial version.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding version code containing information identifying the version as the most recent version of the accessed source code line.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said access request is initiated from a requesting software developer, wherein the requesting software developer is one of the plurality of software developers.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information related to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the user code is stored within the source code storage.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding user code containing information related to the identity of the requesting software developer.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one edited source code line is received from one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information relating to the identity of the software developer from whom the at least one edited source code line was received.

10. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of integrating at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the information contained in the user code corresponding to each of the plurality of versions of source code lines that are integrated is modified to relate to the identity of each of the plurality of software developers.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of virtual files within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein the generating step copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual files.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of generating, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual files, receiving an edited virtual file, and storing, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual file corresponding to the edited virtual file received.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of virtual objects within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein the generating step copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual objects.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of generating, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual objects, receiving an edited virtual object, and storing, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual object corresponding to the edited virtual object received.

15. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a symbol table within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and wherein the generating step copies each of the plurality of symbols contained in one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of generating, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, receiving, an edited symbol table, and storing, in the source code storage, a new version of symbol table corresponding to the edited symbol table received.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the versions of each of the plurality of source code lines is stored in the source code storage in a compressed, canonical format, and wherein the generating step generates a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a pointer, the pointer comprising a memory location corresponding to a predecessor version of the same source code line in the case that a predecessor version exists, and the pointer comprising a null value in the case that a predecessor version of the same source code line does not exist.

19. A method for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the plurality of source code lines maintained within a computer device having a memory, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developer, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis;

accessing, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein each version of each source code line is stored in a compressed, canonical format, has a version code which contains information that identifies the version, the version code being stored within the source code storage, and has a user code which contains information describing the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, the user code being stored within the source code storage, and has a line data which contains information describing at least one of related source code lines, the line data being stored within the source code storage;

generating, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein the version code of each of the copied versions contains information identifying the version as the most recently stored version and wherein the user code of each of the copied versions contains information relating to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers;

receiving at least one edited source code line;

storing, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received;

modifying the information contained in the user code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to relate to the identity of one of the plurality of software developers;

modifying the information contained in the line data of each new version of source code lines and at least one of the related source code lines, whereby the information is modified to relate the new version code to the version code of at least one of the related source code lines; and

modifying the information contained in the version code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to identify the new version as the most recent version of the source code line.

20. A method for editing source code which is arranged into a plurality of source code lines which are stored in a source code storage, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the source code storage is accessible to a plurality of software developers, said method comprising the steps of:

sending an access request to the source code storage, the access request containing a reference to at least one of the plurality of source code lines stored in the source code storage;

receiving from the source code storage, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line referenced in the access request, each copied version being received in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines;

modifying at least one of the copied versions of source code lines received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited source code line; and

sending to the source code storage the at least one edited source code line.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of virtual files are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual file referenced in the access request.

22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual files;

modifying at least one of the copied versions of virtual files received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual file; and

sending, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual file.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of virtual objects are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual object referenced in the access request.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual objects;

modifying at least one of the copied versions of virtual objects received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual object; and

sending, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual object.

25. A method according to claim 20, wherein a symbol table is stored within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and further comprising the steps of receiving from the source code storage a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, modifying at least one of the copied versions of the symbol table, thereby creating at least one edited symbol table, and sending to the source code storage the at least one edited symbol table.

26. A computing device for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computing device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that (i) receives an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis, (ii) accesses, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, (iii) generates, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines, (iv) receives at least one edited source code line, (v) stores, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received.

27. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding version code which contains information that identifies the version of the source code line to which the version code corresponds, and wherein the version code is stored within the source code storage.

28. A computing device according to claim 27, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a modification of one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of source code lines, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as a successor version to the version of the source code line that was modified.

29. A computing device according to claim 27, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a new source code line, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as an initial version.

30. A computing device according to claim 27, wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding version code containing information identifying the version as the most recent version of the accessed source code line.

31. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein said access request is initiated from a requesting software developer, wherein the requesting software developer is one of the plurality of software developers.

32. A computing device according to claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information related to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the user code is stored within the source code storage.

33. A computing device according to claim 32, wherein the at least one edited source code line is received from one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information relating to the identity of the software developer from whom the at least one edited source code line was received.

34. A computing device according to claim 31, wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding user code containing information related to the identity of the requesting software developer.

35. A computing device according to claim 31, wherein the processor further comprises the step to integrate at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the information contained in the user code corresponding to each of the plurality of versions of source code lines that are integrated is modified to relate to the identity of each of the plurality of software developers.

36. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein the processor further comprises the step to store a plurality of virtual files within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein the generating step copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual files.

37. A computing device according to claim 36, wherein the processor further comprises the steps to generate, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual files, receive an edited virtual file, and store, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual file corresponding to the edited virtual file received.

38. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein the processor further comprises the step to store a plurality of virtual objects within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein the generating step copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual objects.

39. A computing device according to claim 38, wherein the processor further comprises the steps to generate, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual objects, receive an edited virtual object, and store, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual object corresponding to the edited virtual object received.

40. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein the processor further comprises the step to store a symbol table within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and wherein the generating step copies each of the plurality of symbols contained in one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table.

41. A computing device according to claim 40, wherein the processor further comprises the steps to generate, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, receive, an edited symbol table, and store, in the source code storage, a new version of symbol table corresponding to the edited symbol table received.

42. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein each of the versions of each of the plurality of source code lines is stored in the source code storage in a compressed, canonical format, and wherein the generating step generates a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format.

43. A computing device according to claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a pointer, the pointer comprising a memory location corresponding to a predecessor version of the same source code line in the case that a predecessor version exists, and the pointer comprising a null value in the case that a predecessor version of the same source code line does not exist.

44. A computing device for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computing device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that (i) receives an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis, (ii) accesses, in response to the access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein each version of each source code line is stored in a compressed, canonical format, has a version code which contains information that identifies the version, the version code being stored within the source code storage, has a user code which contains information describing the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, the user code being stored within the source code storage, and has a line data which contains information describing at least one of related source code lines, the line data being stored within the source code storage, (iii) generates, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein the version code of each of the copied versions contains information identifying the version as the most recently stored version and wherein the user code of each of the copied versions contains information relating to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, (iv) receives at least one edited source code line, (v) stores, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received, (vi) modifies the information contained in the user code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to relate to the identity of one of the plurality of software developers, (vii) modifies the information contained in the line data of each new version of source code lines and at least one of the related source code lines, whereby the information is modified to relate the new version code to the version code of at least one of the related source code lines, and (viii) modifies the information contained in the version code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to identify the new version as the most recent version of the source code line.

45. A computing device for editing source code which is arranged into a plurality of source code lines which are stored in a source code storage, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the source code storage is accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computing device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor that (i) sends an access request to the source code storage, the access request containing a reference to at least one of the plurality of source code lines stored in the source code storage, (ii) receives from the source code storage, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line referenced in the access request, each copied version being received in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines, (iii) modifies at least one of the copied versions of source code lines received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited source code line and (iv) sends to the source code storage the at least one edited source code line.

46. A computing device according to claim 45, wherein a plurality of virtual files are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual file referenced in the access request.

47. A computing device according to claim 46, wherein the processor further comprises the steps to:

receive, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual files;

modify, at least one of the copied versions of virtual files received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual file; and

send, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual file.

48. A computing device according to claim 45, wherein a plurality of virtual objects are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual object referenced in the access request.

49. A computing device according to claim 48, wherein the processor further comprises the steps to:

receive, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual objects;

modify at least one of the copied versions of virtual objects received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual object; and

send to the source code storage the at least one edited virtual object.

50. A computing device according to claim 45, wherein a symbol table is stored within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and wherein the processor further comprises the steps to receive from the source code storage a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, modify at least one of the copied versions of the symbol table, thereby creating at least one edited symbol table, and send to the source code storage the at least one edited symbol table.

51. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer-executable process steps for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the plurality of source code lines maintained within a computer device having a memory, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to receive an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis;

code to access, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines;

code to generate, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines;

code to receive at least one edited source code line; and

code to store, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines.

52. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding version code which contains information that identifies the version of the source code line to which the version code corresponds, and wherein the version code is stored within the source code storage.

53. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 52, wherein, in the case that at least one edited source code line is a modification of one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of source code lines, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as a successor version to the version of the source code line that was modified.

54. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 52, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a new source code line, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as an initial version.

55. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 52, wherein the code to generate step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding version code containing information identifying the version as the most recent version of the accessed source code line.

56. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, wherein said access request is initiated from a requesting software developer, wherein the requesting software developer is one of the plurality of software developers.

57. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 56, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information related to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the user code is stored within the source code storage.

58. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 57, wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding user code containing information related to the identity of the requesting software developer.

59. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 57, wherein the at least one edited source code line is received from one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information relating to the identity of the software developer from whom the at least one edited source code line was received.

60. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 57, further code to integrate at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the information contained in the user code corresponding to each of the plurality of versions of source code lines that are integrated is modified to relate to the identity of each of the plurality of software developers.

61. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, further comprising code to store a plurality of virtual files within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein the code to generate copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual files.

62. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 61, further comprising code to generate, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual files, code to receive an edited virtual file, and code to store, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual file corresponding to the edited virtual file received.

63. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, further comprising code to store a plurality of virtual objects within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein the code to generate copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual objects.

64. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, further comprising code to store a symbol table within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and wherein the code to generate copies each of the plurality of symbols contained in one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table.

65. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 64, further comprising code to generate, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, code to receive, an edited symbol table, and code to store, in the source code storage, a new version of symbol table corresponding to the edited symbol table received.

66. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, wherein each of the versions of each of the plurality of source code lines is stored in the source code storage in a compressed, canonical format, and wherein the code to generate generates a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format.

67. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 63, further comprising code to generate, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual objects, code to receive an edited virtual object, and code to store, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual object corresponding to the edited virtual object received.

68. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 51, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a pointer, the pointer comprising a memory location corresponding to a predecessor version of the same source code line in the case that a predecessor version exists, and the pointer comprising a null value in the case that a predecessor version of the same source code line does not exist.

69. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer-executable process steps for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the plurality of source code lines maintained within a computer device having a memory, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to receive an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis;

code to access, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein each version of each source code line is stored in a compressed, canonical format, has a version code which contains information that identifies the version, the version code being stored within the source code storage, and has a user code which contains information describing the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, the user code being stored within the source code storage, and has a line data which contains information describing at least one of related source code lines, the line data being stored within the source code storage;

code to generate, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein the version code of each of the copied versions contains information identifying the version as the most recently stored version and wherein the user code of each of the copied versions contains information relating to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers;

code to receive at least one edited source code line;

code to store, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received;

code to modify the information contained in the user code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to relate to the identity of one of the plurality of software developers;

code to modify the information contained in the line data of each new version of source code lines and at least one of the related source code lines, whereby the information is modified to relate the new version code to the version code of at least one of the related source code lines; and

code to modify the information contained in the version code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to identify the new version as the most recent version of the source code line.

70. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer-executable process steps for editing source code which is arranged into a plurality of source code lines which are stored in a source code storage, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the source code storage is accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to send an access request to the source code storage, the access request containing a reference to at least one of the plurality of source code lines stored in the source code storage;

code to receive from the source code storage, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line referenced in the access request, each copied version being received in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines;

code to modify at least one of the copied versions of source code lines received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited source code line; and

code to send to the source code storage the at least one edited source code line.

71. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 70, wherein a plurality of virtual files are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual file referenced in the access request.

72. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 71, further comprising code to:

receive, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual files;

modify at least one of the copied versions of virtual files received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual file; and

send, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual file.

73. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 70, wherein a plurality of virtual objects are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual object referenced in the access request.

74. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 73, further comprising code to:

receive, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual objects;

modify at least one of the copied versions of virtual objects received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual object; and

send, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual object.

75. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 70, wherein a symbol table is stored within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and further comprising code to receive from the source code storage a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, modify at least one of the copied versions of the symbol table, thereby creating at least one edited symbol table, and send to the source code storage the at least one edited symbol table.

76. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the plurality of source code lines maintained within a computer device having a memory, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

a receiving step to receive an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis;

an accessing step to access, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines;

a generating step to generate, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines;

a receiving step to receive at least one edited source code line; and

a storing step to store, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received.

77. A computer-readable medium according to claim 76, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding version code which contains information that identifies the version of the source code line to which the version code corresponds, and wherein the version code is stored within the source code storage.

78. A computer-readable medium according to claim 77, wherein said access request is initiated from a requesting software developer, wherein the requesting software developer is one of the plurality of software developers.

79. A computer-readable medium according to claim 78, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information related to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the user code is stored within the source code storage.

80. A computer-readable medium according to claim 79, wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding user code containing information related to the identity of the requesting software developer.

81. A computer-readable medium according to claim 79, wherein the at least one edited source code line is received from one of the plurality of software developers, and wherein the new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines has a corresponding user code which contains information relating to the identity of the software developer from whom the at least one edited source code line was received.

82. A computer-readable medium according to claim 79, further comprising the step of integrating at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the information contained in the user code corresponding to each of the plurality of versions of source code lines that are integrated is modified to relate to the identity of each of the plurality of software developers.

83. A computer-readable medium according to claim 77, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a modification of one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of source code lines, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as a successor version to the version of the source code line that was modified.

84. A computer-readable medium according to claim 77, wherein, in the case that the at least one edited source code line is a new source code line, the information contained in the version code corresponding to the new version of source code line identifies the new version as an initial version.

85. A computer-readable medium according to claim 77 wherein the generating step copies the version of each of the accessed source code lines which has a corresponding version code containing information identifying the version as the most recent version of the accessed source code line.

86. A computer-readable medium according to claim 76, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of virtual files within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein the generating step copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual files.

87. A computer-readable medium according to claim 86, further comprising the steps of generating, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual files, receiving an edited virtual file, and storing, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual file corresponding to the edited virtual file received.

88. A computer-readable medium according to claim 76, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of virtual objects within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein the generating step copies one of the plurality of versions of each source code line that corresponds to each of the plurality of line references contained in one of the plurality of virtual objects.

89. A computer-readable medium according to claim 88, further comprising the steps of generating, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of one of the plurality of virtual objects, receiving an edited virtual object, and storing, in the source code storage, a new version of virtual object corresponding to the edited virtual object received.

90. A computer-readable medium according to claim 76, further comprising the step of storing a symbol table within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and wherein the generating step copies each of the plurality of symbols contained in one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table.

91. A computer-readable medium according to claim 90, further comprising the steps of generating, in response to an access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, receiving, an edited symbol table, and storing, in the source code storage, a new version of symbol table corresponding to the edited symbol table received.

92. A computer-readable medium according to claim 76, wherein each of the versions of each of the plurality of source code lines is stored in the source code storage in a compressed, canonical format, and wherein the generating step generates a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format.

93. A computer-readable medium according to claim 76, wherein each of the plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines has a pointer, the pointer comprising a memory location corresponding to a predecessor version of the same source code line in the case that a predecessor version exists, and the pointer comprising a null value in the case that a predecessor version of the same source code line does not exist.

94. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps for version control of source code arranged into a plurality of source code lines, the plurality of source code lines maintained within a computer device having a memory, the computer device being accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

a receiving step to receive an access request to access the source code on a line-by-line basis;

an accessing step to access, in response to said access request, at least one of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the plurality of source code lines are stored within a source code storage which is located within the memory, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein each version of each source code line is stored in a compressed, canonical format, has a version code which contains information that identifies the version, the version code being stored within the source code storage, has a user code which contains information describing the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers, the user code being stored within the source code storage, and has a line data which contains information describing at least one of related source code lines, the line data being stored within the source code storage;

a generating step to generate, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each of the accessed source code lines in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein the version code of each of the copied versions contains information identifying the version as the most recently stored version and wherein the user code of each of the copied versions contains information relating to the identity of at least one of the plurality of software developers;

a receiving step to receive at least one edited source code line;

a storing step to store, in the source code storage, a new version of source code line corresponding to each of the edited source code lines received;

a modifying step to modify the information contained in the user code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to relate to the identity of one of the plurality of software developers;

a modifying step to modify the information contained in the line data of each new version of source code lines and at least one of the related source code lines, whereby the information is modified to relate the new version code to the version code of at least one of the related source code lines; and

a modifying step to modify the information contained in the version code of each new version of source code line, whereby the information is modified to identify the new version as the most recent version of the source code line.

95. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps for editing source code which is arranged into a plurality of source code lines which are stored in a source code storage, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of source code lines, wherein the source code storage is accessible to a plurality of software developers, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

a sending step to send an access request to the source code storage, the access request containing a reference to at least one of the plurality of source code lines stored in the source code storage;

a receiving step to receive from the source code storage, in response to the access request, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line referenced in the access request, each copied version being received in an uncompressed, non-canonical format, wherein each of the versions contains information on a version of related source code lines;

a modifying step to modify at least one of the copied versions of source code lines received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited source code line; and

a sending step to send to the source code storage the at least one edited source code line.

96. A computer-readable medium according to claim 95, wherein a plurality of virtual files are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual files containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual files, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual files, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual file referenced in the access request.

97. A computer-readable medium according to claim 96, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual files;

modifying at least one of the copied versions of virtual files received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual file; and

sending, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual file.

98. A computer-readable medium according to claim 95, wherein a plurality of virtual objects are stored within the source code storage, each of the plurality of virtual objects containing a plurality of line references, each of the plurality of line references corresponding to one of the plurality of source code lines, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of each of the plurality of virtual objects, wherein the reference contained in the access request to at least one of the plurality of source code lines comprises a reference to one of the plurality of virtual objects, and wherein a copy is received of at least one of the plurality of versions of each source code line corresponding to each of the plurality of line references contained in the virtual object referenced in the access request.

99. A computer-readable medium according to claim 98, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the source code storage, a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of at least one of the plurality of virtual objects;

modifying at least one of the copied versions of virtual objects received from the source code storage, thereby creating at least one edited virtual object; and

sending, to the source code storage, the at least one edited virtual object.

100. A computer-readable medium according to claim 95, wherein a symbol table is stored within the source code storage, the symbol table containing a plurality of symbols, the source code storage arranged to store a plurality of versions of the symbol table, and further comprising the steps of receiving from the source code storage a copy of at least one of the plurality of versions of the symbol table, modifying at least one of the copied versions of the symbol table, thereby creating at least one edited symbol table, and sending to the source code storage the at least one edited symbol table.