Change sets versus change packages: Comparing implementations of change-based SCM

Abstract

Tracking logical software changes rather than individual file changes is an emerging technology in SCM systems today. Such a tight coupling of SCM and change management has the potential to evolutionize software configuration management as we know it. Two different styles of change-based SCM have emerged, known as “change sets” and “change packages.” The goal of both types of systems is the same: to help software teams manage their software and related artifacts in order to ship quality products on time. However, it is interesting to consider which type of system is more effective at helping software teams manage their configurations.