Continuous Integration: FAQ

Q: What do I keep in a Git Repository?

A: For a correct answer, we first need to point out a fundamental difference between SVN and Git:

• In SVN, there is one single repository, whose structure is equivalent to a file system. You can check out and work at any level of the SVN tree.
• In Git, there are several repositories, independent from each other. You need to clone an entire repository to work on its content.

Given that, a multi-module repository (i.e. a repositories with several modules not grouped in a reactor build of a parent pom) are strongly discouraged. Such repository would force a developer to clone the entire repo, regardless the module he/she would work on. Also Jenkins would be in the same situation: clone a full repo to then build just a small piece of it.