Glossary

Term	Definition
Check Out (co)	Get a working copy of the files from the cvs repository
Commit (ci)	Send changes form your working copy of the files to the repository
Conflict	Situation where you are updating changes based upon an out of date copy of the files.
CVSROOT	Environmental variable to point to your cvs repository
CVS_RSH	Environmental variable set to rsh or ssh for  connection to the remote cvs server
ext	Connect to cvs using and external connection program such as rsh or ssh
Gserver	Connect to cvs using a general security services api (GSSAPI)
Kserver	Connect to cvs using a Kerberos server
Log Message	Description of changes to the files
Pserver	Connect to cvs using a Password-Authenticated server
Repository	Server which holds the master copy of the files
Revision	Snapshot in time of the files in the project
Update (up)	To update your working copy of the files from the repository's master copy
Working Copy	The files from the repository that you are  working with

Common Tasks

Getting help

• man cvs
• info cvs
• cvs -H or cvs --help
  
• cvs --help-synonyms
• Shows all of the short forms for cvs commands
  

Putting files into cvs repository

• cd to the project tree root
• cvs import -m "log message goes here" projname vendortag releasetag
• -m = message  --> it is mandatory
• projname - project's name, usually the name of the top directory
• vendortag and releasetag are optional pieces of information that cvs keeps track of

Checkout a working copy

• cvs checkout projname

Updating your working directory from the cvs repository

• cvs update

Sending your changes to the cvs repository

• cvs commit -m "log message here" <file>
• <file> is optional, not using it sends all changed files in the working directory to the cvs repository

Displaying file status

• cvs status <file>
• <file> is optional, not using shows the status of all files