Open source writing software with version control
I was wondering if there were any open source (free also works) writing software that includes version control (e.g. git). I'm thinking of writing my own but I don't want to create something that already exists. Everything I look for is either paid or is restricted to one or two OSs.
Also I'm planning to write this for the browser i.e. HTML, JavaScript with PHP as the backend.
NOTE:
This is not about is there version control. I want to create an interactive software where you can create a JSON file full of character names and you can just write a generic name in e.g. ${characters.protagonist.firstname} ${characters.protagonist.lastname} and it'll fill it in e.g. Harry Potter.
Also when you do that, their names will lighten up allowing you to redirect or shows a pop up with the character details.
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1 answer
I'm doing some research into free and open source software for writers. The most promising candidates so far, in no particular order, are:
yWriter is a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes, helping you keep track of your work while leaving your mind free to create.
Organize chapters and scenes, manage revisions, export novel in pdf or rtf. And, of course, write with a fully featured text editor.
Manuskript is a perfect tool for those writer who like to organize and plan everything before writing. The snowflake method can help you grow your idea into a book, by leading you step by step and asking you questions to go deeper. While writing, keep track of notes about every characters, plot, event, place in your story.
This software gives you an outliner, a distraction-free mode, a note manager and much more!
open source software for writers, essayists, authors. Used from the draft to the final work, with oStorybook you can never lose the history of the field of view. oStorybook helps you to maintain control over the various developments of your story.
A comparison and more in-depth reviews can be found here https://crawfordwriting.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/free-scrivener-alternatives/
I'm not sure yet which have in-built version control, but any of these in conjunction with a version control system might provide the solution you are after, before you embark on your own project.
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