CVS on the Macintosh

CVS is a version control system, which allows you to keep old versions of files (usually source code), keep a log of who, when, and why changes occurred, etc., like RCS or SCCS.

There are various ways to run CVS on the Macintosh. All of them currently involve running a client on the Macintosh talking to a server running on unix; for example Apple's MkLinux should work fine for a server.

Macintosh packages

One way to run a CVS client on the Mac is the self-contained Java client jCVS. Look for the Macintosh information on the jCVS page (including which version of Apple's Java you need).

MacCVSClient is a Macintosh client with a graphical user interface.

MacCVS 2.x/3.x is a command line client port of CVS which is probably most useful for implementing an external graphical user interface. There is also a version with a graphical user interface and other enhancements. Note that despite the similarity in names, MacCVS and MacCVSClient are entirely separate clients.

MacCVS Pro aims to provide an easy to use CVS client with high performance.

Note that despite the similar names, MacCVS Pro, MacCVS 2.x/3.x, and MacCVSClient are three separate programs.

To integrate into the Metrowerks CodeWarrior development environment, see the CWCVS product.

For more information

If you are thinking of helping to develop the various CVS implementations for the Macintosh, see our Development of CVS: Macintosh page.