What is the significance of 'version control' for DDC program files?

• A. A method for storing only current programs.
• B. A system for encrypting DDC communications.
• C. A process to schedule program changes automatically.
• D. Tracks changes to program files, enables rollback, ensures reproducibility and accountability.

Answer: (D)

Version control keeps a complete, auditable history of changes to DDC program files. Each update is tracked with who made it and when, so you can move between versions, compare what changed, and revert to a known-good state if a modification causes issues. This enables reproducibility by allowing you to deploy the exact version that produced a given result, and it creates accountability through a clear change history. In practice, it also supports safe collaboration—different engineers can work on separate changes and later merge them, with the ability to review diffs before deployment. Encryption, automatic scheduling, or storing only the current version don’t provide this history, rollback, or traceability.