What are two advantages of version control software? (Choose two.)

Version Control Software (VCS), such as Git, is fundamental for modern software development and network automation. Its primary advantages are centered on managing changes to source code over time. A core feature is the ability to compare different versions or revisions of text-based files, allowing developers to see specific changes (additions, deletions, modifications) between commits. This is crucial for code reviews and debugging. Additionally, VCS provides a complete, centralized history of the project, which enables new team members to quickly get up to speed by accessing the latest code and understanding its evolution.

A. While VCS can store binary files, it cannot effectively compare or "diff" them to show changes, which is a known limitation, not an advantage.

B. Hosting packaged applications is the function of an artifact repository (e.g., Artifactory, Nexus), not a primary advantage of a version control system.

C. Wiki software is a feature of platforms that host VCS repositories (like GitHub or GitLab), not an inherent feature of the version control software itself (like Git).

1. Chacon, S., & Straub, B. (2014). Pro Git (2nd ed.). Apress.

Chapter 1.1, About Version Control: "With a VCS, you can: ...compare changes over time... This also means that if you screw things up or lose files, you can generally recover easily." This directly supports option D. The chapter also discusses collaboration, stating, "It also helps your team work together," which aligns with the benefit described in option E.

2. MIT. (2020). The Missing Semester of Your CS Education. MIT Courseware.

Lecture 6: Version Control (Git), "Why use a version control system?": The course notes state, "VCS lets you: see the entire history of changes... see who wrote what line of code and when ('git blame')." This supports option E, as it facilitates onboarding and team collaboration by providing access to the project's full history. The lecture also extensively covers the git diff command, which is the mechanism for comparing revisions, supporting option D.

3. Cisco. (2020). Cisco Certified DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.

Chapter 21, "Using Git for Version Control": This chapter explains that a key benefit of Git is its ability to track changes and allow developers to see the difference between versions. It states, "Git allows you to see the history of changes to a file... You can also compare any two versions of a file." This directly validates option D. The chapter also emphasizes collaboration, noting that Git enables teams to work on the same codebase, which supports the principle in option E.