Using WinCvs to Work with Project Source Files

If you are using MS Windows, you can use the graphical client called WinCvs to access a project's version controlled source code files. WinCvs looks and behaves similar to Windows Explorer. You can download WinCvs on line and install it on your machine.

Getting Started

After downloading and installing WinCvs, make a new directory on your hard disk where you will store your working copy of the project's source files. A good name for this directory is the one-word name of the project files you need. If you are working on more than one project, you may wish to make a general "projects cvs " folder, and then create subfolders for each project by name.

Select the "project" directory in the WinCvs program's left-hand pane. (If you do not see your newly created projects directory right away, you may need to refresh your view.) If your project directory is on a different drive not displayed in the left-hand WinCvs pane, you will need to use the Browse Location>Change command under the View menu. Be sure to double click on the drive or directory you want before clicking OK.

More about setting a work area

Setting up CVSroot

First you must define the location of the WinCvs main repository, the CVSROOT. If you are only working on one project at a time, you only need to set up the cvsroot setup once, i.e. the first time you use WinCvs to access the project's source repository through this site.

1. From the Admin menu and select Preferences
2. Enter the CVS root in the in the CVS Root field on the General tab. The CVS root should appear as: [:pserver:username@projectname.domain.net:/cvs]
3. Click on Authentication then change the drop down menu to "passwd file on the cvs server".
4. Click on the Global tab.
5. Uncheck the "Checkout read-only" checkbox.
6. If you are using a Proxy server, you will need to define it on the Proxy tab. If you are unsure if you need to use a Proxy server, please contact the site adminitstrator. To define your settings:
   1. Check the "Connect using a proxy server" checkbox.
   2. Enter the host name or IP of proxy. For example: [www.projectname.domain]
   3. Enter port number for the proxy. For example: [1080]

More about configuring WinCvs

Now you are ready to begin Checking source files in and out of WinCvs