similar lines of development and pull access control

[Dexter Douglas]

Hello,

I would like to create a repository with two lines of development that are related, so I can merge changes between them both.  I have a project that consists of code that I am able to share with others plus code that due to contract I am unable to share.

Here is a simplified example.  Let's say that my code is in two directories called "core" and "secret_stuff".

Here is how I did this with Subversion.  I created a repository.  I made two directories in the repository called "everything" and "public".   Then I imported my project into "everything".  I deleted the "secret_stuff" sub-directory, and then I imported this code into "public".  So now I have one repository with two lines of development---"everything" and "public".   "everything" has "secret_stuff" and "core".  "public" only has "core".

I serve the code with an Apache server, and I use Subversion's authentication files to control access to the repository.  Only certain developers may checkout and commit the "everything" code.  Others are allowed to checkout the "public" code.

I am able to merge changes from "everything" to "public" and vice versa.  (By the way, when I merge changes from "everything" to "public", any changes in "secret_stuff" is skipped ("Skipping missing directory secret_stuff...").)

Is there any way to do something similar with Mercurial (or git or bazaar)?

Thanks.