HG: Update a directory to a specific revision without cloning the whole repo?

Question

Is it possible to update a directory to a specific revision without cloning the whole repository (local or on a central server) in Mercurial and how can I use it? This would be great, because to clone the whole repo first takes to much time for me and the folder really don't needs the whole repo. As example: default and the b2.3 branch from which I want to update.

Thanks in advance! :)

Answer 1

You can pull a specific branch, say b2.3 by using hg clone -r b2.3 source-repo target-repo.

If you really need just a non-versioned copy of all the files in revision N, then for some web repositories you may download such a copy using their web interface.

Answer 2

clone is the preferred way to do it in Mercurial. It should take a minimal amount of time when done locally. I'm unaware of any other way to do it.

Search for "hard links" on this tutorial page for more info on the subject.