cvs command in Linux with Examples

cvs(Concurrent Versions System) command in Linux is used to store the history of a file. Whenever a file gets corrupted or anything goes wrong “cvs” help us to go back to the previous version and restore our file. 

Syntax:

cvs [cvs_options] cvs_command [command_options] [command_args]

Policy Options:

• –allow-root=rootdir : Specify repository on the command line. It also specify legal cvsroot directory. See ‘Password authentication server’ in the CVS manual.
• -d, cvs_root_directory : It uses cvs_root_directory as the directory path name of the repository. It also overrides the $CVSROOT environment variable.
• -e, editor-command : It uses the editor command specified for entering log information. It also overrides $CVSEDITOR and $EDITOR environment variables.
• -f : It does not read the ~/.cvsrc file.
• -H : It display CVS command help.
• -n : It does not make any changes to the root repository and also prints out what would happen if the “-n” flag was not used.
• -Q : Quiet mode. Less verbose than normal.
• -q : Marginally quiet mode. Reports of recursion are suppressed.
• -v : Show CVS software version and copyright information.
• -w : Make new working files read-write. Overrides the setting of the $CVSREAD environment variable.

CVS Commands:

• add : Add a new file/directory to the repository.
• admin : Administration front-end for RCS.
• annotate : Shows the last revision where each line was modified.
• checkout : Checkout sources for editing.
• commit : Check files into the repository.
• diff : Show differences between revisions.
• edit : Get ready to edit a watched file.
• editors : See who is editing a watched file.
• export : Export sources from CVS, similar to checkout.
• history : Show repository access history.
• import : Import sources into CVS, using vendor branches.
• init : It create a CVS repository if it doesn’t exist.
• log : Print out history information for files.
• rdiff : Create ‘patch’ format diffs between revisions.
• status : Display status information on checked out files.
• tag : It adds a symbolic tag to checked out version of files.
• unedit : Undo anedit command.
• update : Bring work tree in sync with repository.
• version : Show current CS version(s).
• watch : Set watches.

Setting up the environment for CVS:

• Set environment variables: (to add to your .bashrc file) 

  Syntax:

export CVSROOT='/home/linux/cvs_root'     - directory for CVS source code repository
export CVSEDITOR=/bin/vi

• Set environment variables: (to add to your .cshrc file) (for csh users) 

  Syntax:
  

setenv CVSROOT  '/home/linux/cvs_root'
setenv CVSEDITOR /bin/vi

Examples:

• To create a Repository (-d command ): The first thing to do after starting the environment is to create a repository. 

cvs -d /home/linux/cvs_root init

• To add a Project (-m command ): After the repository is created, It’s time to create a project and add it into the CVS to have it’s revision control. 

cvs import -m "CVS START" cvs_file myfile start

• To check out a Project (checkout or co command): This will help to create CVS working copy after the project is check out. 

cvs checkout cvs_file

• To add Sub-directories or files (add command ): This will help to add files or sub-directories to the CVS repository. 

cvs add cvs_file_1

• To commit the file (commit command ): This will help to permanently add files or sub-directories to the CVS repository. 

cvs commit myfile

• To update the Working Directory (update command): It updates the working directory from the repository and also tells the status of files. 

cvs update

• To remove file from CVS (remove command): It will help to remove unwanted files permanently from the CVS repository. 

cvs remove myfile

Note:

• To check for the manual page of cvs command, use the following command: 

man cvs

• To check the help page of cvs command, use the following command: 

cvs --help command_name

My Personal Notes arrow_drop_up

Save