Introduction

CVS ("Concurrent Versions System") is a public-domain Version and Configuration Management System. It is based on RCS (Revision Control System) repository files, therefore migrating from RCS to CVS and back is simple. While CVS has all features known from RCS, it provides additional functionality. Within the SNiFF+ environment, the most useful features are that CVS

- Allows parallel development without the need for branches. Third party sources can be tracked. Changes of parallel development are merged automatically, where possible.
- Allows to access repositories not seen in the file system, minimizing network traffic and enforcing security and access policies.
- Allows to track checked-out revisions, making it possible to freeze (tag) any current configuration.

According to the author, "RCS is [analogous to using] assembly language, while CVS is [like using] Pascal".