It's invaluable on projects of all sizes, IMHO.

In the old days, I use to simply create sequentially numbered .arc/.zip file backups 
with all the files in them. The problem is it
contains no history. When I tried to figure out "when did I alter this file?" it was 
hopeless, I would have had to unzip the backups
to multiple directories and diff files until I found when it changed.

This goes double as time passes. I'm still using and modifying sources for small to 
medium sized projects that I created in the late
80's and early 90's. I'm a command line kind of guy, so many of my utilities that were 
needed on DOS 2.11 are still just as useful
in W2K command prompt. Those tools have been ported to newer versions of DOS, OS/2, 
FreeBSD, Windows NT, Windows 2K and Linux.
They've been ported to at least half a dozen different compilers. Over the years I've 
used source control from Polytron PVCS, MKS
RCS, MKS Source Integrity, CVS and now at work we are using ClearCase. I'd say 
Clearcase would be way overkill for small projects
because it's so complicated set up. But CVS is so easy (once you've done it a few 
times) to configure, it's too good not to use.

BTW, I know it's not generally recommended practice, but I expand the $Header$ and 
$Log$ keywords in the file header comment. That
information is invaluable when I'm porting these ancient programs, and by expanding 
the $Log$ I preserve the information even when
changing revision control systems. In some files I've still got all my checkin 
comments from a 1988 or '89 version of PVCS! :)

My $0.02 worth.

  Dan


> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Jeff K. Waters
> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 12:44 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [Cvsnt] Using CVS for small projects
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I am new to CVS, though I set up a CVSNT server on my machine and tried
> to find my way through the things. I am not a professional developer,
> just doing small things once or twice a week. No other person works on
> the code.
>
> So, my (stupid) question is: would it be really practical to use CVS in
> this case? Though I want to get used to CVS, howewer, I cannot get
> myself from thinking that I am wasting my time at this phase.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jeff
>
> _______________________________________________
> Cvsnt mailing list
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://www.cvsnt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/cvsnt

_______________________________________________
Cvsnt mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.cvsnt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/cvsnt

Reply via email to