Source control refers to a system in which a central piece of server software stores and tracks file versions, and also controls access to files. A typical source control system includes a source control provider and two or more source control clients.

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio provides integrated source control services. This means you can use the tool as a client for your source control provider. Without leaving the environment, you can manage your individual and team projects easily. The source control provider is not included with Management Studio.

To select a source control provider

1. Install the client portion of your source control provider.

2. In Management Studio, on the Tools menu, click Options.

3. In the Options dialog box, expand Source Control, and then click the Plug-in Selection page.

4. In the Current source control plug-in box, select the source control plug-in.

 In This Section

Topic	Description
Source Control Basics	Defines basic source control terminology, and explains how your project can benefit from using source control services.
Adding Solutions and Projects to Source Control	Explains how to use the Management Studio environment to add solutions and projects to source control.
Opening Solutions and Projects from Source Control	Explains how to use the Management Studio environment to open source-controlled solutions and projects.
Managing Checkouts	Explains how to check out solutions and files from source control.
Managing Checkins	Explains how to check solutions and files into source control.
Setting and Retrieving Version Information	Explains how to retrieve the history of a project or item, retrieve a local copy of an item, or compare two item versions.
Source Control User Interface Reference	Contains reference information about source control dialog boxes, automation, and error messages.