What to ...

check into svn?

DO check in

• text files
  • source files, e.g., .cpp, .js, .css, .py, .java, .tex
• non-compiled binary files (svn supports binary diff)
  • image files, e.g., .jpg, .png, .gif
  • openoffice binaries, e.g., .odt
    • strictly speaking, openoffice binaries are simply zip archives, but that is ok
• pdf documents, e.g., .pdf
  • for easy reading, despite it can be generated from the source, not everyone has the compiler to generate the source files

DO NOT check in

• Files with non-UTF or non-ASCII filenames, e.g., '中文名字.cpp'
  • these non standard filenames will not work with cygwin
• compressed files, e.g., .zip, .tar, .tgz, .rar
  • what is the point of maintaining version control over a big chunk of compressed document?
• compiled binary files of checked in source files
• files that can be generated easily from the checked in source files
• files that does not change much
  • Huge 3rd party datasets, e.g., Reuters, TDT3
    • should be checked into an ftp site
• any file that is not required to be version controlled
  • LaTeX generated files, e.g., .log, .dvi, .ps

Grey Area

If unsure, use your discretion/wisdom, this is just a guideline. Just go ahead and check in a type of file if you feel strongly that it will be useful.