You need only few commands to start using svn with svn-buildpackage scripts. If you wish to learn more about it, read parts of the the Subversion Book. The most used commands are:
add
-- put new files unto the revision control.
rm
-- remove the files from the repository.
mv
-- move files around, leting revision
control system know about it.
commit
-- commit your changes to the
repository.
resolved
-- tell svn that you have
resolved a conflict.
diff
-- creates a "diff -u" between two
versions, specified by file revision number or by date. See the
diff --help
output.
cat -r Revision
-- useful to browse in some
previous revision of the file.
If you are familiar with CVS you will probably know almost all you need.