[theaccordance]

On whether to use Git or Mercurial, my gut suggests you teach Git, but if you have the ability, poll alumns of the program and/or companies who are nabbing grads to see what they have/haven't used. Personally, I've never been around an environment that uses Mercurial, but that's just my particular situation.

Also, the basics of version control should be taught in the very first programming class. You can then expand on the basics in further courses.

[klancaster]

My gut has been Git as well, since I have always used it in commercial development. My guess is that the companies the students are going to use Perforce or a commercial tool since most end up in energy / oil related companies that tend not to use open source at all. That said, I'll see if I can get more info on what they are using. I don't have control over the first class they take (yet) but I do agree with getting them started early. Most of the programs (CS,EE, etc.) don't even teach version control at all at the undergrad level, so I am doing what I can to remedy that issue.