BitKeeper - The Scalable Distributed Software Configuration Management System

Visual Source Safe has a single repository model. Each work area is clear text only which means no revision control in the work area during development. If the VSS repository goes down for any reason your developers are down.
VSS does not have changesets.
VSS loses information every time there is parallel development because you are forced to merge before you check in if someone else checked in first. The state of your workspace before the merge is lost forever. Another way to say this is that if there is N-way parallel development, VSS loses N-1 events.
Merging in VSS is primitive at best.
Branching can be a nightmare.
Integrity checks are not done automatically with VSS. Data corruptions are a common occurrence with VSS and manual checks are recommended frequently.
VSS does not have replicated repositories, this means no work flow support, no disconnected operations, etc.

BitKeeper/VSS Feature Comparison

Download BitKeeper/VSS Feature Comparison matrix (pdf)

Feature	BK/Pro	VSS	Benefit
Atomic ChangeSets	Yes	No	Every change is a reproducible snap shot Aids in debugging and release management
Graphical checkin tool	Yes	Limited	Graphical tool for file and changeset checkins which promotes more useful comments to speed up development processes and debugging
Dynamic branching	Yes	No	Any workspace can be turned into a branch Advanced planning for branching is not needed
Pro Merge Technology	Yes	No	Most accurate automerge available Only merge each change once
Accurate handling of renames	Always	No	Increased productivity through a well organized source base
Peer-to-peer architecture	Yes	No	Supports any workflow for enhanced quality control Supports the rapid open source style of development
Complete local history	Yes	No	Your developers can keep working even when your server or network doesn't Inherent reliability through replication
True parallel development	Yes	No	Enhanced productivity Faster time to market
Multi-site development	True	No	BitKeeper provides 100% functionality and productivity at all distributed sites
Mobile/Off-network functionality	Yes	No	Increased development productivity by allowing your developers to work while travelling, while at remote locations, while at customer sites, or without a network
Pre-event triggers	Yes	No	Ability to qualify events prior to changes which enhances compliance to your development policies
Post-event triggers	Yes	No	Supports notification of events and automated secondary operations which provides easier process management
Replicated repositories	Yes	No	Provides enhanced reliability along with the ability to perform transparent, automatic backups
Automatic integrity checks	Yes	No	Detects corruptions indicating potential hardware and software problems saving time and money associated with unplanned downtime
Accurate recording of all history	Yes	No	Accountability: Easy to find Who did What When Provides a complete picture of your parallel development Speeds of debugging process
Minimal Administration	Yes	Varies	Head count can be used for development rather than taking care of the SCM system
Minimal hardware requirements	Yes	Varies	No need to purchase additional hardware No requirement for large, expensive server

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