Version Control by Example begins with a section on centralised version control using Subversion before moving onto Distributed Version Control using Mercurial, Git and Veracity.

For each version control system covered, the same scenario of two developers working on the same code is used, which makes for easy comparison. Sections and tables are provided showing equivalent commands between systems. Because of these aids, the reader can get up and running quickly with one of the version control systems covered, especially if they know one of the other systems featured.

Towards the end of the book is a section that explains what goes on under the hood of DVCS systems, which is a nice bonus for the reader who wants a more in-depth view.

All in all, a very nice, light guide for people who work with software at all levels. ( )