Essential CVS: Version Control and Source Code Management

by Jennifer Vesperman

Book Overview

This easy-to-follow reference shows a variety of professionals how to use the Concurrent Versions System (CVS), the open source tool that lets you manage versions of anything stored in files. Ideal for software developers tracking different versions of the same code, this new edition has been expanded to explain common usages of CVS for system administrators, project managers, software architects, user-interface (UI) specialists, graphic designers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596527039
• ISBN13: 9780596527037
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 427 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Are you a software developer tracking different versions of the same code? If you are, then this book is for you. Author Jennifer Vesperman, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that is current for both the stable and feature tracks of CVS. Vesperman, begins with an overview of CVS. Then, the author explains how to build and use a basic CVS repository with the default settings and a minimum of extras. Next, she explains the everyday CVS commands and concepts. The author also explains tagging and branching, including why and when to tag or branch your project, tagging before releases, and using branching to create a bug fix version of a project. She continues by explaining the systems used in CVS to permit multiple developers to work on the same project without loss of data. Then, the author discusses repository management and the modules in the repository. Next, she covers the tools used by project administrators. The author then discusses security considerations, methods of remote access, and how to set up each method. She continues by providing examples of things that can go wrong when using CVS and how to fix them. Then, the author provides a list of CVS commands. Finally, the author covers CVS administrative files. This most excellent book is complete and easy-to-follow reference that helps you apply order to the task of managing a large quantity of documents. Perhaps more importantly, this book has been expanded to explain common usage's of CVS for system administrators, project managers, writers, and anyone else who has to manage files that change often.

Wonderful Overview and Guide

Every developer and person interested in using version control should have this book on their shelf. This nice, consolidated book provides a clear overview of the core functionality contained within CVS. From administration to daily usage, this guide will provide you with just what the title promises: the essentials. The core competencies of this book are rooted in base usage and base administration. I agree with other reviews stating that things such as branch merging are not covered in a manner to call this the "definitive guide", but they are straying from the point of the book! The book is rooted in the essentials, the common tasks, etc. etc. etc. I was not expecting it to cover issues such as that which would obviously take another 100 to 200 pages to explain thoroughly. You need to keep in mind that this is THE book to start or settle down with. It will provide you will all the answers and information you need to your everyday tasks as well as point you to references where more information can be obtained. This is yet another shining example of O'Reilly's dedication of excellent publications.

A complete reference and guide

Jennifer Vesperman's ESSENTIAL CVS 2nd Edition is a complete reference and guide to managing large numbers of documents. Any company which faces repeated modifications and updates of documents knows the challenge of keeping track of changing versions: CVS makes this job a snap, and ESSENTIAL CVS simplifies the process with a quickstart guide, advanced coverage for technical management programming from release tagging to branching, and a quick reference card for ongoing use. Computer collections will find it a winning pick.

Well written, good coverage of CVS

This is an excellent introduction if you are new revision control or CVS. The configuration and command reference sections are helpful if you are an experienced CVS user. The author clearly knows her subject well and offers plenty of tips and war stories throughout the text. The book focusses primarily on Unix CVS servers, so if you plan to run on a Windows server, you will have to do a little more digging. Otherwise, this should be all you need install, configure, use, and even build CVS. Madhu Siddalingaiah

Well-written, well-organized howto

The first thing I noticed about this book is the logical organization. It starts out with basic CVS functions and uses, then progresses to more advanced tasks and configurations. It is clear and concise, and so well-organized it's easy to look up specific tasks without having to wade through gobs of irrelevant verbiage. It includes many common pitfalls, and what to do about them. It covers logging, scripting, security, local and remote access- this is the best reference for CVS. I recommend it highly all users, beginners to intermediate especially.