CVS for dummies ??

[Magnus Therning]

On Fri, Sep 30, 2005 at 05:57:43AM +0200, Vincent Trouilliez wrote:
>Hi, CVS users.
>
>I recently started programming embedded systems (8 bit MCUs, Atmel
>AVR), and I have been strongly advised by the gurus/pros in this field,
>to use a CVS system when developing the software.
>Yesterday I managed to screw up part of my program, so I can already
>see the interest of CVS, if just as a back-up method ;-)
>
>From what I can gather so far, CVS is extremely complex/featurful, so I
>am bit scared an feel I need a hand !
>I need to know only the very basic principles of CVS, so that I can be
>productive hopefully monday morning, although today wold be good if
>that's possible !
>Due to the nature of the target (8 bit core, only a few KB of program
>memory), the programs are only ever going to contain a dozen files or
>so, all in one single directory.
>
>I need practical advise on how to set up a project and the basic
>commands one is likely to need.
>
>All I have gathered so far is :
>
>- setting up a project is a pig
>
>- but then it's easy to use at the command line : "commit/update
><file>" to upload a file, or retrieve the latest copy.
>
>- "Tags" can be used to mark a milestone.
>
>- "Branches" should be used whenever there is a major change in the
>program structure, or if there is a significant change in the target
>hardware.
>
>Can anyone point me to some on-line "CVS for dummies, practical
>example" resource ??

The CVS web pages has documentation for all levels of CVS usage:

 http://www.nongnu.org/cvs/

The Cederqvist manual is *the* CVS manual. It suffers a bit from
Finagle's First Law[1] though. 1.12.9 is the version offered in Hoary
and its version of the manual is here:

 http://ximbiot.com/cvs/manual/cvs-1.12.9/cvs.html

There's also a book by Karl Fogel and Moshe Bar. I've read it and it's a
nicer introduction to CVS than the Cederqvist manual. It's available in
PDF format:

 http://cvsbook.red-bean.com/

>What package do I need to install, is "cvs" enough ? Does it provide a
>server so I can host the CVS on my local computer or local network, not
>necessarily on the web). I hear there are front-ends for CVS, do they
>really make it easy for noobs to set up a project and use it... any
>recommendation ?

You only need the 'cvs' package, it includes both client and server. The
other questions are answered in the documents above.

/M

1. To study a subject best, understand it thoroughly before you start.

-- 
Magnus Therning                    (OpenPGP: 0xAB4DFBA4)
magnus at therning.org
http://therning.org/magnus

Software is not manufactured, it is something you write and publish.
Keep Europe free from software patents, we do not want censorship
by patent law on written works.

Applying computer technology is simply finding the right wrench to
pound in the correct screw.
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