SVN - how to take a file off the version control
svn
Solution
A common way to do this is to store an example file such as `settings.py.template` in source control, but not `settings.py`. That way, you can change `settings.py` as needed locally, without Subversion prompting you to commit it.
When you make a new checkout, you would copy `settings.py.template` to `settings.py` to get things started. If you make any changes that affect the default configuration file, change `settings.py.template` and commit the change.
Problem
I am working on a SVN controlled project that I had checkout from server at the beginning. In one of the SVN controlled directory, there is a configuration file (settings.py) which I had to edit to suit my local setup. I have created a local backup of my own configuration file. In order not to update this file to server, I always revert "settings.py" before committing to the server. After committing, I move my own "settings.py" from my local backup. I will appreciate if somebody can guide me how to exclude this file from SVN without any side effects; so that I don't have to revert and recopy by hand.