file check-in/check-out system?

[sejf83]

Hi all,

I'd like to a build a PHP-based interface for sharing documents (MS Office docs, latex, etc). I need to be able to allow users to "check-out" the files for their exclusive use and then go through a "check in" process when they re-upload the doc so it's accessible again to everyone else. I'd also like to implement some form of version control where older versions of the docs can be in some sort of repository. I'm not quite sure how to approach either concept. I'm wondering if anyone can give me tips on how I might go about this.

Thanks.

sejf83

[laserlight]

Why not use an existing version control system?

There are several open source version control systems available, some of the stable ones include CVSNT and Subversion. You can also consider Bazaar-NG, darcs and monotone.

If you do absolutely need it as a web interface, I suppose PHP could be used to contruct a (limited?) frontend for the version control backend that you choose.

Alternatively, you can implement the check in/out system and revision control yourself with a database keeping track of the checkouts and by storing the revisions wholesale, but then you may suffer space and flexibility penalties, among other potential problems.