Note: This text adapted from SourceForge documentation

== About CVS ==

CVS (Concurrent Versions System) is a tool used by many software developers to manage changes within their source code tree. CVS provides the means to store not only the current version of a piece of source code, but a record of all changes (and who made those changes) that have occurred to that source code. Use of CVS is particularly common on projects with multiple developers, since CVS ensures changes made by one developer are not accidentally removed when another developer posts their changes to the source tree.

In order to access a CVS repository, you must install a special piece of software called a CVS client; CVS clients are available for most any operating system. General CVS documentation is available on this [[http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=14033&group_id=1|SourceForge.net page]].

== Anonymous CVS Access ==

Cytoscape core code (and code for many plugins) can be checked out through anonymous (pserver) CVS with the following instruction set. When prompted for a password for anonymous, simply press the Enter key.

{{{
cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cabernet.ucsd.edu:/cvsdir5 login
cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cabernet.ucsd.edu:/cvsdir5 co cytoscape
cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cabernet.ucsd.edu:/cvsdir5 logout
}}}

and for the plugins, change the second line to:

{{{
cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cabernet.ucsd.edu:/cvsdir5 co csplugins
}}}


== Developer CVS Access via SSH ==

Most users should use the anonymous method of access above.  Only Cytoscape project developers who are allowed to modify Cytoscape code can access the CVS tree via this method.  A SSH client must be installed on your client machine. Enter your SSH password when prompted.
(Currently, Cytoscape developers are only those in the groups of the principal investigators - they are listed on the [[http://cytoscape.org/people.php|people page]], although that page is sometimes out of date)

Developers may also make use of shared SSH keys for authentication.

{{{
export CVS_RSH=ssh
cvs -z3 -d:ext:username@bordeaux.ucsd.edu:/common/cvsdir5 co cytoscape
}}}

Using this method, you will be asked for your password after each action.  A [[https://cabig.nci.nih.gov/working_groups/Training_SLWG/Documents/caBIG_CVS_Instructions_10-13-04.pdf|number of tools exist]] which provide you with a graphical view of CVS and allow you to save your password so you don't have to type it in each time and most IDEs, like Eclipse and IDEA, provide CVS access functionality as well.

'csplugins' and 'cyto_web' directories are also available to checkout, in addition to 'cytoscape', though 'cytoscape' contains all core Cytoscape code (including compiled plugins that are distributed with Cytoscape)

NOTE: UNIX file and directory names are case sensitive. The path to the project CVSROOT must be specified using lowercase characters (i.e. /common/cvsdir)