CVS Pocket Reference
Author: Gregor N. Purdy
Pages: 81
Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates
ISBN: 0-596-00003-0
Summary: A helpful, concise reference to our favorite source code management tool.
Review Date: 23 May, 2002
| List price at review time: | $9.95 |
| amazon.com: | $9.95 |
| bookpool.com: | $6.95 |
| barnesandnoble.com: | $9.95 |
If you work with libre/open-source software on a code level enough then you're bound to become familiar with the ubiquitous source-code management tool known as CVS. And if you're experienced with CVS you will likely find the CVS Pocket Reference a handy and complete, albeit concise guide to CVS.
The book begins with a very quick introduction to CVS concepts and follows with simple instructions on obtaining, compiling, and installing CVS. The bulk of the book consists of a CVS administrator's reference, and a CVS user's reference.
The administrator's reference section provides brief descriptions of the contents and format of each of the administrative files that make up a CVS repository, and how they are used. Included are descriptions of the commands and directives that can be used in each of these files. A few paragraphs describe the basic steps to set up a password server, and the security implications of doing so. This section also covers methods of importing files from other revision control systems (RCS, SCCS, and PVCS) as well as a reference to the handful of administrative CVS commands available.
The user's reference section provides information about the files that make up a sandbox, or working copy of a CVS repository, as well as instructions on creating a sandbox. Following this is a complete reference to each CVS command available with coverage including all options for each command. A handy chart is provided showing which of the common options are available for each CVS subcommand.
This pocket reference is very concise, so if you are not experienced with CVS, then I'd recommend beginning first with Open Source Development with CVS, published by Coriolis, Inc. The chapters of that book covering CVS usage are all freely available online at the book's website.
Once you've gotten familiar with CVS, then the CVS Pocket Reference reference will be very helpful in circumstances such as when you're trying to remember just which options can be used with the 'cvs commit' command.
Throughout the book simple examples are usually given for each file and command, and to my great delight, the book has an index!
My overall Rating: 9/10 The book is very complete, but almost too concise.
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