Component Versioning

[rachit juthani]

Hi all,

Recently joined. 

I think if I am using a component from the library(atomic symbol/component) it should not have a feature to be changed directly in the schematic editor. Or all components should have a lock feature so once placed in schematic it should not be changed.

https://forum.kicad.info/t/symbol-editing-in-schematic-editor/67827

Currently adding atomic components to schematic there remains a fear that fields could have been changed, but no way to know . (Like throughout the design life)

Solutions: 

1. Lock feature so no one can change it. If want to change then deliberately unlock it and change it.

2. There should be a component id assigned by the software to each symbol created. Each change made should increment the component id . So the component id in lib and schematic can be checked and user can be notified that the component doesn't match the lib part. 

Currently an atomic part can be directly changed in schematic editor and there is no way to know what changed and in which component. 

This feature will bring component versioning to kicad.

[Kay Sievers]

You might be able to do something close to that already today:

- Create your own git repository with your symbols and footprints

- Add that repository to every project as a git submodule

- Only use the local project symbols / footprints from your local submodule

Whenever you update the library repository, the projects stay pinned to the current submodule git hash. Only if you update the submodule inside the project, the library content will change. The changes will be visible locally in git.

Kay