1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
3 @setfilename ../../info/pcl-cvs
4 @settitle PCL-CVS --- Emacs Front-End to CVS
9 Copyright @copyright{} 1991-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
13 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
14 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
15 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual'',
16 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license
17 is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
19 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
20 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
21 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
25 @dircategory Emacs misc features
27 * PCL-CVS: (pcl-cvs). Emacs front-end to CVS.
30 @c The titlepage section does not appear in the Info file.
33 @c The title is printed in a large font.
34 @center @titlefont{User's Guide}
36 @center @titlefont{to}
38 @center @titlefont{PCL-CVS --- The Emacs Front-End to CVS}
45 @center Per Cederqvist
46 @center Stefan Monnier
49 @c The following two commands start the copyright page
50 @c for the printed manual. This will not appear in the Info file.
52 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
58 @c ================================================================
59 @c The real text starts here
60 @c ================================================================
62 @node Top, About PCL-CVS, (dir), (dir)
66 This manual describes PCL-CVS, the GNU Emacs front-end to CVS. It
67 is nowhere near complete, so you are advised to use @kbd{M-x
68 customize-group RET pcl-cvs @key{RET}} and to look at the documentation strings
69 of the various commands and major modes for further information.
70 @c This manual is updated to release 2.5 of PCL-CVS.
77 * About PCL-CVS:: Credits, history, @dots{}
79 * Getting started:: An introduction with a walk-through example.
80 * Buffer contents:: An explanation of the buffer contents.
81 * Selected files:: To which files are commands applied.
82 * Commands:: All commands, grouped by type.
84 * Log Edit Mode:: Major mode to edit log messages.
85 * Log View Mode:: Major mode to browse log changes.
86 @c * CVS Status Mode:: Major mode to view CVS' status output.
87 * Customization:: How you can tailor PCL-CVS to suit your needs.
88 * Bugs:: Bugs (known and unknown).
90 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation.
91 * Function and Variable Index:: List of functions and variables.
92 * Concept Index:: List of concepts.
93 * Key Index:: List of keystrokes.
96 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
100 * Contributors:: Contributors to PCL-CVS.
104 * Entering PCL-CVS:: Commands to invoke PCL-CVS
105 * Setting flags:: Setting flags for CVS commands
106 * Updating the buffer::
107 * Movement commands:: How to move up and down in the buffer
108 * Marking files:: How to mark files that other commands
109 will later operate on.
110 * Committing changes:: Checking in your modifications to the
112 * Editing files:: Loading files into Emacs.
113 * Getting info about files:: Display the log and status of files.
114 * Adding and removing files:: Adding and removing files
115 * Undoing changes:: Undoing changes
116 * Removing handled entries:: Uninteresting lines can easily be removed.
117 * Ignoring files:: Telling CVS to ignore generated files.
118 * Viewing differences:: Commands to @samp{diff} different versions.
119 * Invoking Ediff:: Running @samp{ediff} from @samp{*cvs*} buffer.
120 * Updating files:: Updating files that Need-update.
121 * Tagging files:: Tagging files.
122 * Miscellaneous commands:: Miscellaneous commands.
126 * Customizing Faces::
131 @node About PCL-CVS, Getting started, Top, Top
132 @chapter About PCL-CVS
133 @cindex About PCL-CVS
135 PCL-CVS is a front-end to CVS versions 1.9 and later.
136 It concisely shows the present status of a checked out module in an
137 Emacs buffer and provides single-key access to the most frequently used CVS
138 commands. Note that the @code{vc-dir} command (@pxref{VC Directory
139 Mode, , , emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}) provides similar
140 functionality, but for several version control systems, including CVS.
142 PCL-CVS was originally written many years ago by Per Cederqvist who
143 proudly maintained it until January 1996, at which point he released the
144 beta version 2.0b2 and passed on the maintainership to Greg A Woods.
145 Development stayed mostly dormant for a few years during which
146 version 2.0 never seemed to be able to leave the ``beta'' stage while a
147 separate XEmacs version was slowly splitting away. In late 1998,
148 Stefan Monnier picked up development again, adding some major new
149 functionality and taking over the maintenance.
152 * Contributors:: Contributors to PCL-CVS.
155 @node Contributors,, About PCL-CVS, About PCL-CVS
156 @section Contributors to PCL-CVS
160 Contributions to the package are welcome. I have limited time to work
161 on this project, but I will gladly add any code that you contribute to
162 me to this package (@pxref{Bugs}).
164 The following persons have made contributions to PCL-CVS.
168 Brian Berliner wrote CVS, together with some other contributors.
169 Without his work on CVS this package would be useless@dots{}
172 Per Cederqvist wrote most of the otherwise unattributed functions in
173 PCL-CVS as well as all the documentation.
176 @email{inge@@lysator.liu.se, Inge Wallin} wrote the skeleton of
177 @file{pcl-cvs.texi}, and gave useful comments on it. He also wrote
178 the files @file{elib-node.el} and @file{compile-all.el}. The file
179 @file{cookie.el} was inspired by Inge.@refill
182 @email{linus@@lysator.liu.se, Linus Tolke} contributed useful comments
183 on both the functionality and the documentation.@refill
186 @email{jwz@@jwz.com, Jamie Zawinski} contributed
187 @file{pcl-cvs-lucid.el}, which was later renamed to
188 @file{pcl-cvs-xemacs.el}.@refill
191 Leif Lonnblad contributed RCVS support (since superseded by the new
195 @email{jimb@@cyclic.com, Jim Blandy} contributed hooks to automatically
196 guess CVS log entries from @file{ChangeLog} contents, and initial support of
197 the new Cygnus / Cyclic remote CVS, as well as various sundry bug fixes
201 @email{kingdon@@cyclic.com, Jim Kingdon} contributed lots of fixes to
202 the build and installation procedure.
205 @email{woods@@weird.com, Greg A.@: Woods} contributed code to implement
206 the use of per-file diff buffers, and vendor join diffs with emerge and
207 ediff, as well as various and sundry bug fixes and cleanups.
210 @email{greg.klanderman@@alum.mit.edu, Greg Klanderman} implemented
211 toggling of marked files, setting of CVS command flags via prefix
212 arguments, updated the XEmacs support, updated the manual, and fixed
216 @email{monnier@@gnu.org, Stefan Monnier} added a slew of other
217 features and introduced even more new bugs. If there's any bug left,
218 you can be sure it's his.
221 @c wordy to avoid an underfull hbox
222 @email{masata-y@@is.aist-nara.ac.jp, Masatake YAMATO} made a gracious
223 contribution of his cvstree code to display a tree of tags which was later
224 superseded by the new @code{cvs-status-mode}.
227 Apart from these, a lot of people have sent us suggestions, ideas,
228 requests, bug reports and encouragement. Thanks a lot! Without you
229 there would be no new releases of PCL-CVS.
232 @node Getting started, Buffer contents, About PCL-CVS, Top
233 @chapter Getting started
236 @cindex Sample session
238 This document assumes that you know what CVS is, and that you at least
239 know the fundamental concepts of CVS. If that is not the case, you
240 should read the CVS documentation. Type @kbd{info -f cvs} or @kbd{man
243 PCL-CVS is only useful once you have checked out a module. So before
244 you invoke it, you must have a copy of a module somewhere in the file
247 You can invoke PCL-CVS by typing @kbd{M-x cvs-examine @key{RET}}.
248 You can also invoke it via the menu bar, under @samp{Tools}.
249 Or, if you prefer, you can also invoke PCL-CVS by simply visiting the
250 CVS administrative subdirectory of your module, with a prefix argument.
251 For example, to invoke PCL-CVS in a separate frame, type @kbd{C-u C-x 5
252 f ~/my/project/CVS @key{RET}}.
254 The function @code{cvs-examine} will ask for a directory. The command
255 @samp{cvs -n update} will be run in that directory. (It should contain
256 files that have been checked out from a CVS archive.) The output from
257 @code{cvs} will be parsed and presented in a table in a buffer called
258 @samp{*cvs*}. It might look something like this:
261 Repository : /usr/CVSroot
263 Working dir: /users/ceder/FOO/test
274 --------------------- End ---------------------
275 -- last cmd: cvs -f -z6 -n update -d -P --
278 In this example, your repository is in @file{/usr/CVSroot} and CVS has
279 been run in the directory @file{/users/ceder/FOO/test}. The three files
280 (@file{bar}, @file{file.txt} and
281 @file{newer}) that are marked with @samp{Need-Update} have been changed
282 by someone else in the CVS repository. Two files (@file{namechange}
283 and @file{sub/ChangeLog}) have been modified locally, and need to be
286 You can move the cursor up and down in the buffer with @kbd{C-n} and
287 @kbd{C-p} or @kbd{n} and @kbd{p}. If you press @kbd{c} on one of the
288 @samp{Modified} files, that file will be checked in to the CVS
289 repository. @xref{Committing changes}. You can also press @kbd{O} to
290 update any of the files that are marked @samp{Need-Update}. You can
291 also run @kbd{M-x cvs-update @key{RET}} (bound to @kbd{M-u} in the
292 @samp{*cvs*} buffer) to update all the files.@refill
294 You can then press @kbd{=} to easily get a @samp{diff} between your
295 modified file and the base version that you started from, or you can
296 press @kbd{l} to get the output from @samp{cvs log}. Many more such
297 commands are available simply by pressing a key (@pxref{Getting info
300 @node Buffer contents, Selected files, Getting started, Top
301 @chapter Buffer contents
302 @cindex Buffer contents
303 @cindex @code{*cvs*} buffer contents
305 The display contains several columns, some of which are optional.
306 These columns are, from left to right:
311 Optionally, the head revision of the file. This is the latest version
312 found in the repository. It might also contain (instead of the head
313 revision) a sub status which typically gives further information about
314 how we got to the current state, for example @samp{patched},
315 @samp{merged}, @dots{}
318 An asterisk when the file is @dfn{marked} (@pxref{Selected
322 The actual status of the file wrt the repository. See below.
325 Optionally, the base revision of the file. This is the version
326 which the copy in your working directory is based upon.
333 The @samp{file status} field can have the following values:
337 The file is modified in your working directory, and there was no
338 modification to the same file in the repository. This status can have
339 the following substatus:
343 The file was modified in your working directory, and there were
344 modifications in the repository as well, but they were merged
345 successfully, without conflict, in your working directory.@refill
349 A conflict was detected while trying to merge your changes to @var{file}
350 with changes from the repository. @var{file} (the copy in your
351 working directory) is now the output of the @code{rcsmerge} command on
352 the two versions; an unmodified copy of your file is also in your
353 working directory, with the name @file{.#@var{file}.@var{version}},
354 where @var{version} is the RCS revision that your modified file started
355 from. @xref{Viewing differences}, for more details.@refill
357 A conflict can also come from a disagreement on the existence of the file
358 rather than on its content. This case is indicated by the following
363 The file is locally removed but a new revision has been committed to
364 the repository by someone else.
367 The file is locally added and has also been added to the repository
371 The file is locally modified but someone else has removed it from the
376 The file has been added by you, but it still needs to be checked in to
377 the repository.@refill
380 The file has been removed by you, but it still needs to be checked in to
381 the repository. You can resurrect it by typing @kbd{a} (@pxref{Adding
382 and removing files}).@refill
385 A file that was detected in your directory, but that neither appears in
386 the repository, nor is present on the list of files that CVS should
390 The file is up to date with respect to the version in the repository.
391 This status can have a substatus of:
395 You have just added the file to the repository.@refill
398 The file was brought up to date with respect to the repository. This is
399 done for any file that exists in the repository but not in your source,
400 and for files that you haven't changed but are not the most recent
401 versions available in the repository.@refill
404 The file was brought up to date with respect to the remote repository by
405 way of fetching and applying a patch to the file in your source. This
406 is equivalent to @samp{updated} except that CVS decided to use a hopefully
407 more efficient method.@refill
410 You just committed the file.@refill
414 Either a newer version than the one in your source is available in the
415 repository and you have not modified your checked out version, or the
416 file exists in the repository but not in your source. Use
417 @samp{cvs-mode-update} bound to @kbd{O} to update the file.@refill
420 You have modified the checked out version of the file, and a newer
421 version is available in the repository. A merge will take place when
422 you run a @samp{cvs-update}.
425 The file has been unexpectedly removed from your working directory
426 although it has not been @samp{cvs remove}d.
429 @node Selected files, Commands, Buffer contents, Top
430 @chapter Selected files
431 @cindex Selected files
433 @cindex File selection
437 Many of the commands work on the current set of @dfn{selected} files
438 which can be either the set of marked files (if any file is marked and
439 marks are not ignored) or whichever file or directory the cursor is on.
441 If a directory is selected but the command cannot be applied to a
442 directory, then it will be applied to the set of files under this
443 directory which are in the @samp{*cvs*} buffer.
445 @findex cvs-mode-force-command
446 @findex cvs-allow-dir-commit
447 Furthermore, each command only operates on a subset of the selected
448 files, depending on whether or not the command is @dfn{applicable} to
449 each file (based on the file's status). For example,
450 @code{cvs-mode-commit} is not applicable to a file whose status is
451 @samp{Need-Update}. If it should happen that PCL-CVS guesses the
452 applicability wrong, you can override it with the special prefix
453 @code{cvs-mode-force-command} normally bound to @kbd{M-f} (and file a
454 bug report). The applicability rule can be slightly changed with
455 @code{cvs-allow-dir-commit} and @code{cvs-force-dir-tag}.
457 By default, marks are always in effect (you may change this, however, by
458 setting the variable @code{cvs-default-ignore-marks}) except for the
459 commands that @samp{tag} or @samp{diff} a file (which can be changed
460 with the variable @code{cvs-invert-ignore-marks}).
462 In addition, you may use the special prefix @code{cvs-mode-toggle-marks}
463 normally bound to @key{T} to toggle the use of marks for the following
466 This scheme might seem a little complicated, but once one gets used to
467 it, it is quite powerful.
469 For commands to mark and unmark files, see @ref{Marking files}.
471 @node Commands, Log Edit Mode, Selected files, Top
475 This chapter describes all the commands that you can use in PCL-CVS.
478 The nodes in this menu contains explanations about all the commands that
479 you can use in PCL-CVS. They are grouped together by type.
483 * Entering PCL-CVS:: Commands to invoke PCL-CVS
484 * Setting flags:: Setting flags for CVS commands
485 * Updating the buffer::
486 * Movement commands:: How to move up and down in the buffer
487 * Marking files:: How to mark files that other commands
488 will later operate on.
489 * Committing changes:: Checking in your modifications to the
491 * Editing files:: Loading files into Emacs.
492 * Getting info about files:: Display the log and status of files.
493 * Adding and removing files:: Adding and removing files
494 * Undoing changes:: Undoing changes
495 * Removing handled entries:: Uninteresting lines can easily be removed.
496 * Ignoring files:: Telling CVS to ignore generated files.
497 * Viewing differences:: Commands to @samp{diff} different versions.
498 * Invoking Ediff:: Running @samp{ediff} from @samp{*cvs*} buffer.
499 * Updating files:: Updating files that Need-update.
500 * Tagging files:: Tagging files.
501 * Miscellaneous commands:: Miscellaneous commands.
505 @node Entering PCL-CVS, Setting flags, Commands, Commands
506 @section Entering PCL-CVS
512 @cindex Creating the *cvs* buffer
514 Most commands in PCL-CVS require that you have a @samp{*cvs*}
515 buffer. The commands that you use to get one are listed below.
516 For each, a @samp{cvs} process will be run, the output will be parsed by
517 PCL-CVS, and the result will be printed in the @samp{*cvs*} buffer (see
518 @ref{Buffer contents}, for a description of the buffer's contents).
522 Run a @samp{cvs update} command. You will be asked for the directory
523 in which the @samp{cvs update} will be run.
525 @item M-x cvs-examine
526 Run a @samp{cvs -n update} command. This is identical to the previous
527 command, except that it will only check what needs to be done but will
528 not change anything. You will be asked for the directory in
529 which the @samp{cvs -n update} will be run.
532 Run a @samp{cvs status} command. You will be asked for the directory
533 in which the @samp{cvs status} will be run.
535 @item M-x cvs-checkout
536 Run a @samp{cvs checkout} command. You will be asked for the directory
537 in which the @samp{cvs update} will be run and the module to be checked
540 @item M-x cvs-quickdir
541 Populate the @samp{*cvs*} buffer by just looking at the @file{CVS/Entries}
542 files. This is very much like @code{cvs-examine} except that it does
543 not access the CVS repository, which is a major advantage when the
544 repository is far away. But of course, it will not be able to detect
545 when a file needs to be updated or merged.
548 @findex cvs-dired-action
549 @findex cvs-dired-use-hook
551 those commands are also reachable from the menu bar
552 under @samp{Tools->PCL-CVS}. Finally, an alternative way is to visit
553 the CVS administrative subdirectory in your work area with a simple
554 prefix argument. For example @kbd{C-u C-x C-f ~/my/work/CVS @key{RET}}. This
555 by default runs @code{cvs-quickdir} but the specific behavior can be
556 changed with @code{cvs-dired-action} and @code{cvs-dired-use-hook}.
558 By default, the commands above will descend recursively into
559 subdirectories. You can avoid that behavior by including @samp{-l} in
560 the flags for the command. These flags can be set by giving a prefix
561 argument to the command (e.g., by typing
562 @kbd{C-u M-x cvs-update @key{RET} -l @key{RET}}).
565 @node Setting flags, Updating the buffer, Entering PCL-CVS, Commands
566 @section Setting flags for CVS commands
567 @cindex Optional switches to CVS
568 @cindex Command-line options to CVS
570 This section describes the convention used by nearly all PCL-CVS
571 commands for setting optional flags sent to CVS. A single @kbd{C-u}
572 prefix argument is used to cause the command to prompt for flags to be
573 used for the current invocation of the command only. Two @kbd{C-u} prefix
574 arguments are used to prompt for flags which will be set permanently, for the
575 current invocation and all that follow, until the flags are changed, or
576 unless temporary flags are set which override them.
578 Perhaps an example or two is in order. Say you are about to add a
579 binary file to the repository, and want to specify the flags @samp{-kb}
580 to @samp{cvs add}. You can type @kbd{C-u a -kb @key{RET}},
581 and the file will be added. Subsequent @samp{cvs add}
582 commands will use the previously prevailing flags.
584 As a second example, say you are about to perform a diff and want to see
585 the result in unified diff format, i.e. you'd like to pass the flag
586 @samp{-u} to both @samp{cvs diff} and @samp{diff}. You'd also like all
587 subsequent diffs to use this flag. You can type @kbd{C-u C-u = -u @key{RET}}
588 and the diff will be performed, and the default flags will be set to
589 @code{("-u")}. You can of course override this flag for a single diff
590 by using a single @kbd{C-u} prefix argument.
592 @cindex Special prefix
593 In addition to this, some commands can take @dfn{special prefix} arguments.
594 These work as follows: When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, the user is
595 prompted for a new value of the special prefix and the special prefix is
596 activated for the next command. When called without the @kbd{C-u}
597 prefix, the special prefix is re-activated (with the same value as last
598 time) for the next command. Calling the prefix command again when it's
599 already activated deactivates it. Calling it with the @kbd{C-u C-u}
600 prefix activates it for all subsequent commands until you deactivate it
601 explicitly. The special prefixes are:
605 Toggles whether or not marks will be active in the next command.@refill
608 Provide the next command with a branch (can be any version
609 specifier) to work on.@refill
612 Secondary branch argument. Only meaningful if @kbd{b} is also used.
613 It can be used to provide a second branch argument to
614 @code{cvs-mode-diff} or to @code{cvs-mode-update}.
617 Forces the next command to apply to every selected file rather than only
618 to the ones PCL-CVS thinks are relevant.
621 @node Updating the buffer, Movement commands, Setting flags, Commands
622 @section Updating the @samp{*cvs*} buffer
626 @findex cvs-mode-update
627 @findex cvs-mode-examine
628 @findex cvs-mode-status
630 The following commands can be used from within the @samp{*cvs*} buffer
631 to update the display:
635 Runs the command @samp{cvs-update}.@refill
638 Runs the command @samp{cvs-examine}.@refill
641 Runs the command @samp{cvs-status}.@refill
644 In addition to the above commands which operate on the whole module,
645 you can run the equivalent CVS command on just a subset of the
646 files/directories with these keys:
650 Runs @code{cvs-mode-update} on the selected files. When run on the
651 top-level directory, this is equivalent to @kbd{M-u}.@refill
654 Runs @code{cvs-mode-examine} on the selected files. When run on the
655 top-level directory, this is equivalent to @kbd{M-e}.@refill
657 @findex cvs-status-mode
659 Runs @code{cvs-mode-status} on the selected files. When run on the
660 top-level directory, this is equivalent to @kbd{M-s}, except that
661 CVS output will be shown in a @samp{*cvs-info*} buffer that will be
662 put in @samp{cvs-status-mode}.@refill
666 @node Movement commands, Marking files, Updating the buffer, Commands
667 @section Movement Commands
668 @cindex Movement Commands
669 @findex cvs-mode-next-line
670 @findex cvs-mode-previous-line
671 @kindex SPC@r{--Move down one file}
672 @kindex n@r{--Move down one file}
673 @kindex p@r{--Move up one file}
675 You can use most normal Emacs commands to move forward and backward in
676 the buffer. Some keys are rebound to functions that take advantage of
677 the fact that the buffer is a PCL-CVS buffer:
683 These keys move the cursor one file forward, towards the end of the
684 buffer (@code{cvs-mode-next-line}).@refill
687 This key moves one file backward, towards the beginning of the buffer
688 (@code{cvs-mode-previous-line}).
692 @node Marking files, Committing changes, Movement commands, Commands
693 @section Marking files
694 @cindex Selecting files (commands to mark files)
695 @cindex Marking files
696 @kindex m@r{--marking a file}
697 @kindex M@r{--marking all files}
698 @kindex u@r{--unmark a file}
699 @kindex ESC DEL@r{--unmark all files}
700 @kindex DEL@r{--unmark previous file}
701 @kindex %@r{--mark files matching regexp}
702 @kindex S@r{--mark files in a particular state}
703 @kindex T@r{--toggle marks}
704 @findex cvs-mode-mark
705 @findex cvs-mode-unmark
706 @findex cvs-mode-mark-all-files
707 @findex cvs-mode-unmark-all-files
708 @findex cvs-mode-unmark-up
709 @findex cvs-mode-mark-matching-files
710 @findex cvs-mode-mark-on-state
711 @findex cvs-mode-toggle-marks
713 PCL-CVS works on a set of @dfn{selected files} (@pxref{Selected files}).
714 You can mark and unmark files with these commands:
718 This marks the file that the cursor is positioned on. If the cursor is
719 positioned on a directory all files in that directory are marked
720 (@code{cvs-mode-mark}).@refill
723 Unmark the file that the cursor is positioned on. If the cursor is on a
724 directory, all files in that directory are unmarked
725 (@code{cvs-mode-unmark}).@refill
728 Mark @emph{all} files in the buffer (@code{cvs-mode-mark-all-files}).
731 Unmark @emph{all} files (@code{cvs-mode-unmark-all-files}).
734 Unmark the file on the previous line, and move point to that line
735 (@code{cvs-mode-unmark-up}).
738 Mark all files matching a regular expression
739 (@code{cvs-mode-mark-matching-files}).
742 Mark all files in a particular state, such as ``Modified'' or
743 ``Removed'' (@code{cvs-mode-mark-on-state}).
746 Toggle use of marks for the next command (@code{cvs-mode-toggle-marks}).
750 @node Committing changes, Editing files, Marking files, Commands
751 @section Committing changes
752 @cindex Committing changes
753 @findex cvs-mode-commit
754 @findex cvs-mode-commit-setup
755 @kindex c@r{--commit files}
756 @kindex C@r{--commit files with @file{ChangeLog} message}
757 @vindex cvs-auto-revert@r{ (variable)}
758 @cindex Commit buffer
760 @cindex Erasing commit message
761 @cindex Reverting buffers after commit
763 Committing changes basically works as follows:
767 After having selected the files you want to commit, you type either
768 @kbd{c} or @kbd{C} which brings up a special buffer
769 @samp{*cvs-commit*}.@refill
772 You type in the log message describing the changes you're about to
773 commit (@pxref{Log Edit Mode}).
776 When you're happy with it, you type @kbd{C-c C-c} to do the actual
780 There's no hidden state, so you can abort the process or pick it up
783 @vindex log-edit-confirm@r{ (variable)}
784 The set of files actually committed is really decided only during the
785 very last step, which is a mixed blessing. It allows you to go back and
786 change your mind about which files to commit, but it also means that you
787 might inadvertently change the set of selected files. To reduce the
788 risk of error, @kbd{C-c C-c} will ask for confirmation if the set of
789 selected files has changed between the first step and the last. You can
790 change this last detail with @code{log-edit-confirm}.
792 As for the difference between @kbd{c} (i.e. @code{cvs-mode-commit}) and
793 @kbd{C} (i.e. @code{cvs-mode-commit-setup}) is that the first gets you
794 straight to @samp{*cvs-commit*} without erasing it or changing anything
795 to its content, while the second first erases @samp{*cvs-commit*}
796 and tries to initialize it with a sane default (it does that by either
797 using a template provided by the CVS administrator or by extracting a
798 relevant log message from a @file{ChangeLog} file).
800 If you are editing the files in your Emacs, an automatic
801 @samp{revert-buffer} will be performed. (If the file contains
802 @samp{$@asis{Id}$} keywords, @samp{cvs commit} will write a new file with
803 the new values substituted. The auto-revert makes sure that you get
804 them into your buffer.) The revert will not occur if you have modified
805 your buffer, or if @samp{cvs-auto-revert} is set to
809 @node Editing files, Getting info about files, Committing changes, Commands
810 @section Editing files
811 @cindex Editing files
812 @cindex Finding files
813 @cindex Loading files
815 @cindex Invoking dired
816 @findex cvs-mode-find-file
817 @findex cvs-mode-find-file-other-window
818 @findex cvs-mode-add-change-log-entry-other-window
819 @kindex f@r{--find file or directory}
820 @kindex o@r{--find file in other window}
821 @kindex A@r{--add @file{ChangeLog} entry}
823 There are currently three commands that can be used to find a file (that
824 is, load it into a buffer and start editing it there). These commands
825 work on the line that the cursor is situated at. They always ignore any marked
830 Find the file that the cursor points to (@code{cvs-mode-find-file}). If
831 the cursor points to a directory, run @code{dired} on that directory;
832 @inforef{Dired, , emacs}.
835 Like @kbd{f}, but use another window
836 (@code{cvs-mode-find-file-other-window}).@refill
839 Invoke @samp{add-change-log-entry-other-window} to edit a
840 @file{ChangeLog} file. The @file{ChangeLog} file will be found in the
841 directory of the file the cursor points to, or in a parent of that
842 directory (@code{cvs-mode-add-change-log-entry-other-window}).@refill
846 @node Getting info about files, Adding and removing files, Editing files, Commands
847 @section Getting info about files
848 @cindex Status (cvs command)
849 @cindex Log (RCS/cvs command)
850 @cindex Getting status
851 @kindex l@r{--run @samp{cvs log}}
852 @kindex s@r{--run @samp{cvs status}}
854 @findex cvs-mode-status
858 Call the command @code{cvs-mode-log} which runs @samp{cvs log} on all
859 selected files, and show the result in a temporary buffer
860 @samp{*cvs-info*} (@pxref{Log View Mode}).
863 Call the command @code{cvs-mode-status} which runs @samp{cvs status} on
864 all selected files, and show the result in a temporary buffer
866 @c Fixme: reinstate when node is written:
867 @c (@pxref{CVS Status Mode}).
871 @node Adding and removing files, Undoing changes, Getting info about files, Commands
872 @section Adding and removing files
874 @cindex Removing files
875 @cindex Resurrecting files
876 @cindex Deleting files
877 @cindex Putting files under CVS control
878 @kindex a@r{--add a file}
879 @kindex r@r{--remove a file}
881 @findex cvs-mode-remove-file
883 The following commands are available to make it easy to add files to
884 and remove them from the CVS repository.
888 Add all selected files. This command can be used on @samp{Unknown}
889 files (@pxref{Buffer contents}). The status of the file will change to
890 @samp{Added}, and you will have to use @kbd{c} (@samp{cvs-mode-commit}
891 @pxref{Committing changes}), to really add the file to the
894 This command can also be used on @samp{Removed} files (before you commit
895 them) to resurrect them.
897 The command that is run is @code{cvs-mode-add}.
900 This command removes the selected files (after prompting for
901 confirmation). The files are deleted from your directory and
902 (unless the status was @samp{Unknown}; @pxref{Buffer contents}) they will
903 also be @samp{cvs remove}d. If the files' status was @samp{Unknown}
904 they will disappear from the buffer. Otherwise their status will change to
905 @samp{Removed}, and you must use @kbd{c} (@samp{cvs-mode-commit},
906 @pxref{Committing changes}) to commit the removal.@refill
908 The command that is run is @code{cvs-mode-remove-file}.
912 @node Undoing changes, Removing handled entries, Adding and removing files, Commands
913 @section Undoing changes
915 @cindex Flush changes
916 @kindex U@r{--undo changes}
917 @findex cvs-mode-undo-local-changes
921 If you have modified a file, and for some reason decide that you don't
922 want to keep the changes, you can undo them with this command. It works
923 by removing your working copy of the file and then getting the latest
924 version from the repository (@code{cvs-mode-undo-local-changes}).
928 @node Removing handled entries, Ignoring files, Undoing changes, Commands
929 @section Removing handled entries
930 @cindex Expunging uninteresting entries
931 @cindex Uninteresting entries, getting rid of them
932 @cindex Getting rid of uninteresting lines
933 @cindex Removing uninteresting (processed) lines
934 @cindex Handled lines, removing them
935 @kindex x@r{--remove processed entries}
936 @kindex C-k@r{--remove selected entries}
937 @findex cvs-mode-remove-handled
938 @findex cvs-mode-acknowledge
939 @findex cvs-mode-ignore
943 This command allows you to remove all entries that you have processed.
944 More specifically, the lines for @samp{Up-to-date} files (@pxref{Buffer
945 contents}) are removed from the buffer. If a directory becomes empty
946 the heading for that directory is also removed. This makes it easier to
947 get an overview of what needs to be done.
949 @vindex cvs-mode-remove-handled@r{ (variable)}
950 @kbd{x} invokes @code{cvs-mode-remove-handled}. If
951 @samp{cvs-auto-remove-handled} is set to non-@code{nil}, this will
952 automatically be performed after every commit.@refill
955 This command can be used for lines that @samp{cvs-mode-remove-handled} would
956 not delete, but that you want to delete (@code{cvs-mode-acknowledge}).
960 @node Ignoring files, Viewing differences, Removing handled entries, Commands
961 @section Ignoring files
962 @cindex Ignoring files
963 @kindex i@r{--ignoring files}
964 @findex cvs-mode-ignore
968 Arrange so that CVS will ignore the selected files. The file names are
969 added to the @file{.cvsignore} file in the corresponding directory. If
970 the @file{.cvsignore} file doesn't exist, it will be created.
972 The @file{.cvsignore} file should normally be added to the repository,
973 but you could ignore it as well, if you like it better that way.
975 This runs @code{cvs-mode-ignore}.
978 @node Viewing differences, Invoking Ediff, Ignoring files, Commands
979 @section Viewing differences
981 @cindex Invoking @code{diff}
982 @cindex Conflicts, how to resolve them
983 @cindex Viewing differences
984 @kindex d=@r{--run @samp{cvs diff}}
985 @kindex =@r{--run @samp{cvs diff}}
986 @kindex db@r{--diff against base version}
987 @kindex dh@r{--diff against head of repository}
988 @kindex dr@r{--diff between base and head of repository}
989 @kindex dv@r{--diff against vendor branch}
990 @kindex dy@r{--diff against yesterday's head}
991 @findex cvs-mode-diff
992 @findex cvs-mode-diff-backup
993 @findex cvs-mode-diff-head
994 @findex cvs-mode-diff-repository
995 @findex cvs-mode-diff-vendor
996 @findex cvs-mode-diff-yesterday
997 @vindex cvs-invert-ignore-marks@r{ (variable)}
1002 Display a @samp{cvs diff} between the selected files and the version
1003 that they are based on (@code{cvs-mode-diff}).@refill
1006 If CVS finds a conflict while merging two versions of a file (during a
1007 @samp{cvs update}, @pxref{Updating the buffer}) it will save the
1008 original file in a file called @file{.#@var{file}.@var{version}} where
1009 @var{file} is the name of the file, and @var{version} is the revision
1010 number that @var{file} was based on.@refill
1012 With the @kbd{d b} command you can run a @samp{diff} on the files
1013 @file{.#@var{file}.@var{version}} and @file{@var{file}}.@refill
1016 Display a @samp{cvs diff} between the selected files and the head
1017 revision (the most recent version on the current
1018 branch) in the repository (@code{cvs-mode-diff-head}).@refill
1021 Display a @samp{cvs diff} between the base revision of the selected
1022 files and the head revision in the repository. This displays the
1023 changes anyone has committed to the repository since you last executed
1024 a checkout, update or commit operation
1025 (@code{cvs-mode-diff-repository}).
1028 Display a @samp{cvs diff} between the selected files and the head
1029 revision of the vendor branch in the repository
1030 (@code{cvs-mode-diff-vendor}).@refill
1033 Display a @samp{cvs diff} between the selected files and yesterday's
1034 head revision in the repository
1035 (@code{cvs-mode-diff-yesterday}).@refill
1038 By default, @samp{diff} commands ignore the marks. This can be changed
1039 with @code{cvs-invert-ignore-marks}.
1041 @node Invoking Ediff, Updating files, Viewing differences, Commands
1042 @section Running ediff
1044 @cindex Invoking ediff
1045 @cindex Viewing differences
1046 @cindex Conflicts, how to resolve them
1047 @cindex Resolving conflicts
1048 @kindex e@r{--invoke @samp{ediff}}
1049 @findex cvs-mode-idiff
1050 @findex cvs-mode-imerge
1053 @vindex cvs-idiff-imerge-handlers@r{ (variable)}
1055 This uses @code{ediff} (or @code{emerge}, depending on
1056 @samp{cvs-idiff-imerge-handlers}) to allow you to view diffs.
1057 If a prefix argument is given, PCL-CVS will prompt for a revision against
1058 which the diff should be made, else the default will be to use the BASE
1061 @cindex Merging with @code{ediff} and @code{emerge}
1063 This command use @code{ediff} (or @code{emerge}, see above) to allow you
1064 to do an interactive 3-way merge.
1066 @strong{Please note:} when the file status is @samp{Conflict},
1067 CVS has already performed a merge. The resulting file is not used in
1068 any way if you use this command. If you use the @kbd{q} command inside
1069 @samp{ediff} (to successfully terminate a merge) the file that CVS
1070 created will be overwritten.@refill
1073 @node Updating files, Tagging files, Invoking Ediff, Commands
1074 @section Updating files
1075 @findex cvs-mode-update
1076 @cindex Updating files
1077 @kindex O@r{--update files}
1081 Update all selected files with status @samp{Need-update} by running
1082 @samp{cvs update} on them (@code{cvs-mode-update}).
1086 @node Tagging files, Miscellaneous commands, Updating files, Commands
1087 @section Tagging files
1088 @findex cvs-mode-tag
1089 @findex cvs-mode-untag
1091 @cindex Tagging files
1092 @kindex M-t@r{--repository tag files}
1093 @kindex t@r{--tag files}
1094 @vindex cvs-invert-ignore-marks@r{ (variable)}
1095 @vindex cvs-force-dir-tag@r{ (variable)}
1099 Tag all selected files by running @samp{cvs tag} on
1100 them (@code{cvs-mode-tag}). It's usually preferable to tag a directory
1101 at a time. Rather than selecting all files (which too often doesn't
1102 select all files but only the few that are displayed), clear the
1103 selection with @kbd{M-DEL} (@code{cvs-mode-unmark-all-files}), position
1104 the cursor on the directory you want to tag and hit @kbd{t}.
1107 By default, @samp{tag} commands ignore the marks. This can be changed
1108 with @code{cvs-invert-ignore-marks}. Also, by default @samp{tag} can
1109 only be applied to directories, see @code{cvs-force-dir-tag} if you want
1110 to change this behavior.
1113 @node Miscellaneous commands, , Tagging files, Commands
1114 @section Miscellaneous commands
1115 @findex cvs-mode-byte-compile-files
1116 @cindex Recompiling elisp files
1117 @cindex Byte compilation
1118 @findex cvs-mode-delete-lock
1119 @cindex Getting rid of lock files
1121 @kindex q@r{--bury the PCL-CVS buffer}
1122 @findex cvs-bury-buffer
1123 @findex cvs-mode-quit
1131 @item M-x cvs-mode-byte-compile-files
1132 Byte compile all selected files that end in @file{.el}.
1134 @item M-x cvs-mode-delete-lock
1135 This command deletes the lock files that
1136 the @samp{*cvs*} buffer informs you about. You should normally never have to
1137 use this command, since CVS tries very carefully to always remove the
1140 You can only use this command when a message in the @samp{*cvs*} buffer tells
1141 you so. You should wait a while before using this command in case
1142 someone else is running a @code{cvs} command.
1144 Also note that this only works if the repository is local.
1148 Show a summary of common command key bindings in the echo
1149 area (@code{cvs-help}).
1152 Bury the PCL-CVS buffer (@code{cvs-bury-buffer}).
1154 @item M-x cvs-mode-quit
1155 Quit PCL-CVS, killing the @samp{*cvs*} buffer.
1158 @node Log Edit Mode, Log View Mode, Commands, Top
1159 @chapter Editing a Log Message
1161 @cindex Log Edit mode
1162 @cindex mode, Log Edit
1163 Buffers for entering/editing log messages for changes which are about
1164 to be committed are put into Log Edit mode.
1166 Sometimes the log buffer contains default text when you enter it,
1167 typically the last log message entered. If it does, mark and point
1168 are set around the entire contents of the buffer so that it is easy to
1169 kill the contents of the buffer with @kbd{C-w}.
1171 @findex log-edit-insert-changelog
1172 If you work by writing entries in the @file{ChangeLog}
1173 (@pxref{(emacs)Change Log}) and then commit the change under revision
1174 control, you can generate the Log Edit text from the ChangeLog using
1175 @kbd{C-c C-a} (@kbd{log-edit-insert-changelog}). This looks for
1176 entries for the file(s) concerned in the top entry in the ChangeLog
1177 and uses those paragraphs as the log text. This text is only inserted
1178 if the top entry was made under your user name on the current date.
1179 @xref{(emacs)Change Logs and VC}, for the opposite way of
1180 working---generating ChangeLog entries from the revision control log.
1182 In the Log Edit buffer, @kbd{C-c C-f} (@kbd{M-x log-edit-show-files})
1183 shows the list of files to be committed in case you need to check
1186 When you have finished editing the log message, type @kbd{C-c C-c} to
1187 exit the buffer and commit the change.
1189 @c Fixme: customization variables
1191 @node Log View Mode, Customization, Log Edit Mode, Top
1192 @chapter Browsing a Log of Changes
1194 @cindex Log View mode
1195 @cindex mode, Log View
1196 @cindex output, logs
1198 @findex cvs-mode-log
1199 @findex vc-print-log
1200 Log View mode provides a few useful commands for navigating revision
1201 control log output. It is used for the output buffers of both
1202 @code{cvs-mode-log} and @code{vc-print-log}.
1204 In this mode, @kbd{n} goes to the next message and @kbd{p} goes to the
1205 previous message and @kbd{N} and @kbd{P} go to the next and previous
1206 files, respectively, in multi-file output. With a numeric prefix
1207 argument, these commands move that many messages of files.
1209 @c @node CVS Status Mode
1210 @c @chapter Viewing CVS' Status output
1212 @node Customization, Bugs, Log View Mode, Top
1213 @chapter Customization
1214 @vindex log-edit-changelog-full-paragraphs@r{ (variable)}
1215 @vindex cvs-auto-remove-handled@r{ (variable)}
1216 @vindex cvs-auto-remove-directories@r{ (variable)}
1217 @vindex cvs-update-prog-output-skip-regexp@r{ (variable)}
1218 @vindex cvs-cvsroot@r{ (variable)}
1219 @vindex cvs-auto-revert@r{ (variable)}
1220 @vindex log-edit-require-final-newline@r{ (variable)}
1221 @vindex cvs-sort-ignore-file@r{ (variable)}
1222 @cindex Customization
1223 @cindex Variables, list of all
1224 @cindex Erasing input buffer
1225 @cindex Context diff, how to get
1226 @cindex Unidiff, how to get
1227 @cindex Automatically remove handled files
1228 @cindex @samp{-u} option in modules file
1229 @cindex Modules file (@samp{-u} option)
1230 @cindex Update program (@samp{-u} option in modules file)
1231 @cindex Reverting buffers after commit
1232 @cindex Require final newline
1233 @cindex Automatically inserting newline
1234 @cindex Commit message, inserting newline
1235 @cindex Sorting @file{.cvsignore} file
1236 @cindex @file{.cvsignore} file, sorting
1237 @cindex Automatically sorting @file{.cvsignore}
1238 @cindex @samp{CVSROOT}, overriding
1240 If you have an idea about any customization that would be handy but
1241 isn't present in this list, please tell us!
1242 For info on how to reach us, see @ref{Bugs}.@refill
1245 @item cvs-auto-remove-handled
1246 If this variable is set to any non-@code{nil} value,
1247 @samp{cvs-mode-remove-handled} will be called every time you check in
1248 files, after the check-in is ready. @xref{Removing handled
1251 @item cvs-auto-remove-directories
1252 If this variable is set to any non-@code{nil} value, directories that do
1253 not contain any files to be checked in will not be listed in the
1254 @samp{*cvs*} buffer.@refill
1256 @item cvs-auto-revert
1257 If this variable is set to any non-@samp{nil} value any buffers you have
1258 that visit a file that is committed will be automatically reverted.
1259 This variable defaults to @samp{t}. @xref{Committing changes}.@refill
1261 @item cvs-update-prog-output-skip-regexp
1262 The @samp{-u} flag in the @file{modules} file can be used to run a command
1263 whenever a @samp{cvs update} is performed (see @code{cvs(5)}). This regexp
1264 is used to search for the last line in that output. It is normally set
1265 to @samp{$}. That setting is only correct if the command outputs
1266 nothing. Note that PCL-CVS will get very confused if the command
1267 outputs @emph{anything} to @code{stderr}.
1270 This variable can be set to override @samp{CVSROOT}. It should be a
1271 string. If it is set, then every time a @code{cvs} command is run, it
1272 will be called as @samp{cvs -d @var{cvs-cvsroot}@dots{}}. This can be
1273 useful if your site has several repositories.
1275 @item log-edit-require-final-newline
1276 @c wordy to avoid underfull hbox
1277 When you enter a log message by typing into the
1278 @samp{*cvs-commit-message*} buffer, PCL-CVS normally automatically
1279 inserts a trailing newline, unless there already is one. This behavior
1280 can be controlled via @samp{cvs-commit-buffer-require-final-newline}.
1281 If it is @samp{t} (the default behavior), a newline will always be
1282 appended. If it is @samp{nil}, newlines will never be appended. Any
1283 other value causes PCL-CVS to ask the user whenever there is no trailing
1284 newline in the commit message buffer.
1286 @findex cvs-mode-changelog-commit
1287 @item log-edit-changelog-full-paragraphs
1288 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, include full @file{ChangeLog}
1289 paragraphs in the CVS log created by @samp{cvs-mode-changelog-commit}.
1290 This may be set in the local variables section of a @file{ChangeLog}
1291 file, to indicate the policy for that @file{ChangeLog}.
1293 @cindex @file{ChangeLog} paragraphs
1294 A @dfn{@file{ChangeLog} paragraph} is a bunch of log text containing no
1295 blank lines; a paragraph usually describes a set of changes with a
1296 single purpose, but perhaps spanning several functions in several files.
1297 Changes in different paragraphs are unrelated.
1299 You could argue that the CVS log entry for a file should contain the
1300 full @file{ChangeLog} paragraph mentioning the change to the file, even though
1301 it may mention other files, because that gives you the full context you
1302 need to understand the change. This is the behavior you get when this
1303 variable is set to @code{t}, the default.
1305 On the other hand, you could argue that the CVS log entry for a change
1306 should contain only the text for the changes which occurred in that
1307 file, because the CVS log is per-file. This is the behavior you get
1308 when this variable is set to @code{nil}.
1310 @findex cvs-mode-ignore@r{, and @file{.cvsignore} sorting}
1311 @item cvs-sort-ignore-file
1312 If this variable is set to any non-@samp{nil} value, the
1313 @file{.cvsignore} file will always be sorted whenever you use
1314 @samp{cvs-mode-ignore} to add a file to it. This option is on by
1320 * Customizing Faces::
1323 @node Customizing Faces, , Customization, Customization
1324 @section Customizing Faces
1325 @vindex cvs-header (face)
1326 @vindex cvs-filename (face)
1327 @vindex cvs-unknown (face)
1328 @vindex cvs-handled (face)
1329 @vindex cvs-need-action (face)
1330 @vindex cvs-marked (face)
1331 @vindex cvs-msg (face)
1333 PCL-CVS adds a few extra features, including menus, mouse bindings, and
1334 fontification of the @samp{*cvs*} buffer. The faces defined for
1335 fontification are listed below:
1339 used to highlight directory changes.
1342 Used to highlight file names.
1345 Used to highlight the status of files which are @samp{Unknown}.
1348 Used to highlight the status of files which are handled and
1349 need no further action.
1351 @item cvs-need-action
1352 Used to highlight the status of files which still need action.
1355 Used to highlight the marked file indicator (@samp{*}).
1358 Used to highlight CVS messages.
1362 @node Bugs, GNU Free Documentation License, Customization, Top
1363 @chapter Bugs (known and unknown)
1364 @cindex Reporting bugs and ideas
1365 @cindex Bugs, how to report them
1366 @cindex Author, how to reach
1367 @cindex Email to the author
1371 @cindex Problems, list of common
1373 If you find a bug or misfeature, don't hesitate to tell us! Send email
1374 to @email{bug-gnu-emacs@@gnu.org} which is gatewayed to the newsgroup
1375 @samp{gnu.emacs.bugs}. Feature requests should also be sent there. We
1376 prefer discussing one thing at a time. If you find several unrelated
1377 bugs, please report them separately. If you are running PCL-CVS under
1378 XEmacs, you should also send a copy of bug reports to
1379 @email{xemacs-beta@@xemacs.org}.
1381 If you have problems using PCL-CVS or other questions, send them to
1382 @email{help-gnu-emacs@@gnu.org}, which is gatewayed to the
1383 @samp{gnu.emacs.help} newsgroup. This is a good place to get help, as
1384 is @email{cvs-info@@gnu.org}, gatewayed to @samp{gnu.cvs.help}.
1386 If you have ideas for improvements, or if you have written some
1387 extensions to this package, we would like to hear from you. We hope that
1388 you find this package useful!
1390 Below is a partial list of currently known problems with PCL-CVS.
1393 @item Unexpected output from CVS
1394 Unexpected output from CVS may confuse PCL-CVS. It will create
1395 warning messages in the @samp{*cvs*} buffer alerting you to any parse errors.
1396 If you get these messages, please send a bug report to the email
1397 addresses listed above. Include the contents of the @samp{*cvs*} buffer, the
1398 output of the CVS process (which should be found in the @samp{ *cvs-tmp*}
1399 buffer), and the versions of Emacs, PCL-CVS and CVS you are using.
1402 @node GNU Free Documentation License, Function and Variable Index, Bugs, Top
1403 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
1404 @include doclicense.texi
1408 @node Function and Variable Index, Concept Index, GNU Free Documentation License, Top
1409 @unnumbered Function and Variable Index
1411 This is an index of all the functions and variables documented in this
1416 @node Concept Index, Key Index, Function and Variable Index, Top
1417 @unnumbered Concept Index
1419 This is an index of concepts discussed in this manual.
1423 @node Key Index, , Concept Index, Top
1424 @unnumbered Key Index
1426 This index includes an entry for each PCL-CVS key sequence documented in