https://invisible-island.net/ded/cm_tools/
rcsput - RCS check-in utility
rcsput [options] [file-specifications]
Rcsput is a simple, easy to use interface to rcs (revision control
system). For each file specified as input, it checks differences
against the previously archived version and prompts you for change
history comments.
Rcsput uses the rcs utility ci to maintain versions of a given source
file in a dependent directory named "RCS":
o It checks to ensure that each file is indeed a text file (so that
you do not accidentally archive ".o" files, for example).
o If you give rcsput a directory name, it will recur, checking-in
files in the directory.
o For each file which has a corresponding ",v" file, rcsput compares
the two (using diff) and pipes the result through the pager.
o An option is provided so that you may direct rcsput to perform the
differencing without checking the file into rcs.
o The ",v" file is post-processed by rcsput so that the check-in date
matches the file's modification date.
The last point is the fundamental advantage offered by rcsput. The
ordinary rcs methodology uses the current date as the check-in date.
This works well only for large projects in which a central project
administrator is responsible for controlling the versions of source
files. It does not work well for small projects, for which rcs's
primary advantage is its compact storage of multiple versions of a
file.
By using the file's modification date as a reference, you can more
easily back up to a meaningful version - by date, rather than version
number.
Rcsput integrates all of the functions used in the rcs check-in process
into one utility program.
Some of the options which you may specify to rcsput are passed through
to the underlying ci utility. Others represent extensions:
-b is passed to diff, and directs it to ignore trailing blanks on a
line, and to treat repeated blanks as a single blank.
-c directs rcsput to use cat rather than the PAGER (usually more) to
display differences. This is most useful in an Apollo pad, since
the more program would otherwise switch to VT100 emulator mode.
-d instructs rcsput to test for differences, but not to check the
files into rcs.
-h is passed to diff, and permits it to handle huge differences.
-Lfile
causes rcsput to generate a log-file of the files which are
processed, and all differences which are encountered. The log-
file is inherited in recursion to lower directory levels (i.e., it
is written to the same place). If no argument is specified,
rcsput assumes "logfile".
-Tpath
specifies an alternate tool to invoke, overrides the default
"checkin".
The rcsput utility is designed for use in small development projects.
The methodology for this tool follows:
o Develop source files "normally". Each file should contain rcs
keywords (see ci (1)) so that you will be able to distinguish
checked-out files. The rcs keywords should appear at the top of
your source file, for consistency. In C language programs, the
convention is to make a string which will permit the ident utility
to show the versions of the modules which make up a program:
#ifndef lint
static char ident[] = "$Id: rcsput.man,v 10.1 92/02/06 10:01:45 dickey Exp $";
#endif
o Periodically archive (with rcsput) those versions of files which
you wish to keep (you should never have programs which have new
features which you wish to keep, while there are defects in other
parts of the program. That would be an unsound approach to
development!).
o When you reach the point of releasing the program, ensure that all
source files have been checked-in. The directory editor (ded) is
useful for reviewing the check-in dates.
o Copy the directory containing your program to the release
directory. Purge all files, except those which are stored in the
rcs subdirectories. Use rcsget to extract the files. The
unadorned co utility will work, of course, but it retains the file
modification dates. You may also use checkout to retain file
dates.
o Ensure that all files have been checked-in and released. You may
use diff to compare the directories - the only differences should
be the substituted rcs keywords.
o Build the released version of your program. All files should be
present. No embedded path names should refer to your development
copy. To ensure good isolation, you may change the permissions on
your development directory temporarily.
When checking files into rcs, it is a good idea to make a test run
(using the "-d" option) so that you can inspect the differences. For
example, you may have forgotten to remove (or bypass) debugging stubs.
Or, you may have been editing a checked-out file (with the rcs keywords
substituted). Rcsput would archive this anyway.
Rcsput is written in C, and runs on POSIX systems.
Environment variables imported by rcsput include:
PAGER identifies the program to use in displaying differences between
the file which is being checked in, and the previously archived
version. There may be a lot of differences - more than can be
shown on one screen.
Rcsput uses the following files
checkin
A utility which invokes ci, and modifies the rcs ",v" file after
check-in so that the check-in date matches the file's
modification date.
None.
Thomas E. Dickey <dickey@invisible-island.net>
checkin, rcsget, checkout, ded, ci (1), co (1), diff (1), ident (1)
2025-09-28 RCSPUT(1)