svn:ignore is locally to a computer?

Question

When i exclude files from SVN with svn:ignore and then another person try to commit the files excluded, svn block him? or he have to do the same command in his computer?

Answer 1

Imagine if you have a bunch of Java files (*.java). These get compiled into *.class files. The compiled *.class files should not be stored in Subversion.

Now, imagine a developer who created a bunch of new *.java files, compiled them, was happy with the results, and did this:

$ svn add *

In this case, Subversion will merrily add in all the compiled *.class files. Not what you want...

The svn:ignore property goes on the directory where you want to ignore files. If, and only if a file is not already in Subversion, the file won't show up if the file matches the svn:ignore glob pattern on the file, and the user does a svn status or an svn add with wild cards.

With the svn status command, these files won't show up with a ? mark at the beginning of the lines of output. If a user attempts to add with a wildcard, Subversion will ignore these files.

In the above scenario, if a developer did this:

$ svn add *

The svn:ignore property will prevent the *.class files from being added.

However, if a user specifically adds an ignored file:

$ svn add foo.class

Then, Subversion won't ignore the file. And, once it is added to the repository, Subversion will report on it if the file is changed or deleted.

The svn:ignore property is visible to all users who have checked out that version of the directory. It's a great way to prevent accidental additions of files, but it can't prevent someone from actually adding them.

I have a pre-commit hook that can take things a step further. With it, you can prevent users from adding specific files into the repository. You can also force users to set a svn:ignore when they create a new directory.