Boss is skeptical of using a version control system for new project, should I anyway?

See https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/109817/superior-refusing-to-use-subversion My question is similar, but here are the main differences in my scenario: We are starting a new project from scratch, using PHP and web tech. There would be no down time in development as we would be adopting it from the beginning, if I have my way. My dev team consists of me, and my boss. We are the "IT" Department of a relatively small firm. The web app will replace a legacy application with absolutely no source control. Due to variations in geographical legal requirements, the decision was made (before I was hired) to fork the app into 7 completely separate directories for each version. Different developers did different things in different places at different times after that. Patching changes across them, well, I think it could be done better, I guess that's why I'm posting. My boss's proposal, directly pasted from an email: Updates should be submitted as packages in the SUBMISSIONS folder. The package should contain all relevant files as well as an ‘UPDATE.NFO’ file that contains a description of the update, a list of all new files included (with descriptions), and a list of all modified files with modification details. Update packages should focus on an individual element and not stray from its intended purpose. Code should be designed to be modular and reusable whenever possible. All submitted packages should be installed in each developer’s test environment soon after submission. Each developer is to review the new addition and voice any concerns over its installation to the production environment. A standard package update should be held for a minimum of 3 business days for this review process before being loaded into the production environment. High priority updates/fixes can skip this requirement. The reason source control was invented is to make all that automatic, right? I suggested subversion, because that's what I used in college. Boss doesn't like subversion because "It makes a mess of the code" (i.e. uses binary magic and is not plainly readable). We did try it one time, but I think trying to use it on windows made weird lower/uppercase errors and we couldn't check out our files. I don't know whether it's only subversion, or all source control products that are objectionable. So, what kind of argument should I make to my boss? Or is he right, and there could be a danger of losing all our work from some weird bug? Or am I wrong altogether? Is source control really necessary in my situation? This is our main business-critical software we're talking about, so it will end up huge no doubt. But there's only 2 developers (now). Additionally, If I can't convince him, would there be any point to me using it only for myself? I am speaking as someone with very limited experience actually using svn; all I really know is checkout and commit. What are the features of source control (may include other products than svn) that would aid in my individual development effort? Please no "get another job" comments. That's not helpful to the debate.

Apr 29, 2025 - 15:22

See https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/109817/superior-refusing-to-use-subversion

My question is similar, but here are the main differences in my scenario:

We are starting a new project from scratch, using PHP and web tech. There would be no down time in development as we would be adopting it from the beginning, if I have my way.
My dev team consists of me, and my boss. We are the "IT" Department of a relatively small firm.

The web app will replace a legacy application with absolutely no source control. Due to variations in geographical legal requirements, the decision was made (before I was hired) to fork the app into 7 completely separate directories for each version. Different developers did different things in different places at different times after that. Patching changes across them, well, I think it could be done better, I guess that's why I'm posting.

My boss's proposal, directly pasted from an email:

Updates should be submitted as packages in the SUBMISSIONS folder. The package should contain all relevant files as well as an ‘UPDATE.NFO’ file that contains a description of the update, a list of all new files included (with descriptions), and a list of all modified files with modification details.

Update packages should focus on an individual element and not stray from its intended purpose. Code should be designed to be modular and reusable whenever possible.

All submitted packages should be installed in each developer’s test environment soon after submission. Each developer is to review the new addition and voice any concerns over its installation to the production environment. A standard package update should be held for a minimum of 3 business days for this review process before being loaded into the production environment. High priority updates/fixes can skip this requirement.

The reason source control was invented is to make all that automatic, right? I suggested subversion, because that's what I used in college. Boss doesn't like subversion because "It makes a mess of the code" (i.e. uses binary magic and is not plainly readable). We did try it one time, but I think trying to use it on windows made weird lower/uppercase errors and we couldn't check out our files. I don't know whether it's only subversion, or all source control products that are objectionable.

So, what kind of argument should I make to my boss? Or is he right, and there could be a danger of losing all our work from some weird bug?

Or am I wrong altogether? Is source control really necessary in my situation? This is our main business-critical software we're talking about, so it will end up huge no doubt. But there's only 2 developers (now).

Additionally, If I can't convince him, would there be any point to me using it only for myself? I am speaking as someone with very limited experience actually using svn; all I really know is checkout and commit. What are the features of source control (may include other products than svn) that would aid in my individual development effort?

Please no "get another job" comments. That's not helpful to the debate.