Source: IT Center RWTH Aachen
This article is part of our series “Central RDM Services at RWTH Aachen“. It is intended to show our researchers – i.e. you – which RDM services are offered at RWTH Aachen University to support you in your research and data management. We talk to the service managers and collect all the information for you in the individual articles. In this article, we would like to introduce the RDM service “Software Engineering Services” (SES), also known as GitLab.
Source: IT Center RWTH Aachen University
Important Facts
- Official name of the service: Software Engineering Services
- Link to the service homepage: git.rwth-aachen.de; git-ce.rwth-aachen.de
- Target group: students, staff, researchers
- Type: version control tool
- Available at RWTH Aachen University since 2016
Example of an GitLab Usage Scenario
A research group at RWTH Aachen University would like work on a collaborative project. The research group consists of several scientists and PhD students with different levels of experience in data analysis, software development and project management. In order to work together efficiently, the research group decides to use GitLab as a central platform.
The research group works together in a GitLab project, where all code changes are versioned. Using branches, the members of the research group can work on different features and bug fixes in parallel without interfering with each other. The integrated wiki can be used to create the collected knowledge and up-to-date documentation, so that the entire research team has access to this information at all times.
GitLab provides an issue tracking system for collecting tasks and bugs and assigning them to individual task areas or members. Members of the research group can create and edit issues and assign responsibilities. GitLab’s built-in permissions and role management allows project managers to control access to the project. It is also possible to automatically test and deploy the software code using the integrated CI/CD feature.
What Does GitLab Do?
Software Engineering Services provides the GitLab tool. GitLab is an open source software that allows you to host and manage your own Git repositories. In addition to its main task of code management, it also covers other functionalities such as a simple issue tracking system, a wiki, and code review options. In this way, GitLab helps developers to improve the quality of the program code that is developed.
Who Is Entitled to Use GitLab?
All members of the University and selected members of partner universities are authorized to use GitLab. The detailed SES usage permissions can be found on IT Center Help.
Context to the Bigger Picture: What Purpose Does GitLab Serve in Modern Scientific Practice? What Function Does GitLab Have in Modern Knowledge Management?
GitLab supports teaching, software development through version control and other features, and supports project management through functions such as issue tracking or documentation (wiki).
Further Information
Detailed information about the service is available at IT Center Help. If you have any questions, please contact our Servicedesk with the subject “GitLab”: We will be happy to help you.
The information was kindly provided by the deputy service manager of Software Engineering Services, Janine Jussen.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.