Manual Version Control
Manual version control is a practice where developers manage changes to code, documents, or other files without using automated version control systems, typically by manually creating copies, renaming files, or using simple folder structures to track revisions. It involves human-driven processes like saving incremental versions with timestamps or descriptive names, and manually merging changes when collaborating. This approach is often used in small-scale projects, educational settings, or as a fallback when automated tools are unavailable.
Developers should learn manual version control as a foundational skill to understand the core concepts of versioning, such as tracking changes, reverting to previous states, and managing collaboration, which are essential even when using automated systems. It is particularly useful in scenarios where automated tools are not feasible, such as in environments with strict security constraints, for quick prototyping, or when teaching version control basics to beginners. However, it is generally recommended to transition to automated systems like Git for efficiency and scalability in larger projects.