CVS (Concurrent Versions System) is used to track changes to multiple versions of files, and it can be used to backtrack or branch off versions of documents inside the scope of a project. CVS is also used to prevent or resolve conflicting entries or changes to source code files by numerous developers.
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs init
add a cvs group to your system (any users who need to access the repository
should be in this group)
vi /etc/group
Here is the relevant line
cvs:x:105:agustin,jorge,svet
Make the repository's group ownership and permissions reflect this new group
cd /usr/local/cvs
chgrp -R cvs .
chmod ug+rwx . CVSROOT
Import a new project into a CVS repository
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs import -m "log message" projectname loginname start
Check out to request a working copy from the repository
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs checkout projectname
Update to bring others' changes from the repository into your working copy and
to show if your working copy has any uncommitted changes
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs update
Diff to compare the the possibly modified files in the working copy to their
counterparts in the repository
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs diff
Commit to send changes from your working copy into the central repository (also
known as check-in)
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs commit -m "print log" files
Log to track development
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs log file
To update any available new directories to your working directory
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs update -d
Prune (remove) directories that are empty after being updated,
on checkout, or update
cvs -d /usr/local/cvs update -P
A useful kflag to add binary files
cvs add -kb novinfo.gif
Set the CVSROOT enviroment variable
export CVSROOT=/usr/local/cvsand now
cvs import -m "log message" projectname loginname start cvs co projectname cvs update cvs diff cvs ci -m "print log" files cvs log file cvs update -d cvs update -P
This short CVS reference sheet is based on the excellent book "Open Source Development with CVS" by Karl Fogel.
Other sources: "The open standar for version control"