I needed a Subversion repository for my tests with Data Modeler. I want it to be on my laptop because I might not have internet connection to the real Subversion repository and this will be my sandbox anyway. Nothing fancy but a real version control. I do not feel like installing and configuring and finding out that the version of the product is too old/too new etc. You know what I mean, don’t you?

Ok, this is how to do the whole thing easily without any gray hair. I created a Subversion repository with SQL Developer. Just go to “Team” menu, “Subversion” and “Create Local Repository”. Follow the instructions and there you are: a brand new Subversion repository. Tip: create the folder for your repository before creating the repository, since the tool will not create it for you.

But I wanted to use it with Data Modeler and I use the standalone product. How does this help me? I am now in SQL Developer and have a repository but what next? Go to Versions Browser in SQL Developer, right-click and select “Export Connections…”. While the SQL Developer created my repository it also created the connection for it and I can use it also with Data Modeler. Just select the location for your connection file and press OK. Then close SQL Developer and open Data Modeler. Go to Versions Browser (if you cannot see it go to the Team menu and select Versions), right-click and select “Import Connections…”. Select the file you just saved and that’s it.

Now you have a Subversion repository and a connection from Data Modeler to that.

Bonus: You might want to create branch, tag and trunk in your directory. Just go to the Versions Browser again. Select your new repository, right-click and select “New Remote Directory…”. Then type “branch” for the “Directory Name” and press ok. That’s it. Do the same for tag and trunk and you are all set for version control and data modeling. Enjoy!