Can somebody explain what CVS is, and how it works?
It appears to me, that it has something to do with AUTOMATICALLY upgrading to the newest version on a daily basis, but a few more details would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff, there's quite a good explanation at http://docs.moodle.org/en/CVS_for_Administrators, but in essence, CVS is the version control system/repository that the developers use to commit changes to the Moodle code.
From an end-user Moodle Administrator point of view, we have no permissions to write files to the repository but we can connect it on a read-only basis to download the files. The repository is mirrored to a number different servers around the world, so you should be able to choose the one nearest to you.
You need a 'client application' to connect to the repository - I use Putty but some people use Tortoise.
I connect via Putty to my server [you'll need to ensure they support access via SSH] and type the command to update (more details here). It works the same as a manual update, just a lot easier! I have to say from a UK perspective (ie. using the UK mirror) that upgrading via CVS takes about 15 seconds, rather than the hour or so doing the same by FTP.
I don't do it 'automatically' but I can't think of a reason why it couldn't be run as a batch/scheduled job.
Okay, thanks... it's not as "mysterious" as I thought.
Another couple questions though...
Can I do a fresh brand new install from CVS?
Do I just need to run the CHECKOUT command from Putty in the directory I want to put it in?
Do I need to run the LOGIN command first before I can do the checkout command?
Thanks
I've been trying both the CVS LOGIN and CVS CHECKOUT commands from Putty, on all three of the servers:
cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@uk.cvs.moodle.org:/cvsroot/moodle co -r MOODLE_18_STABLE moodle
cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@es.cvs.moodle.org:/cvsroot/moodle co -r MOODLE_18_STABLE moodle
cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@eu.cvs.moodle.org:/cvsroot/moodle co -r MOODLE_18_STABLE moodle
But I keep getting the following error on all three servers using both the LOGIN and the CHECKOUT commands:
cvs [checkout aborted]: connect to uk.cvs.moodle.org(212.219.207.22):2401 failed: Connection timed out
Any ideas or suggestions as to what is happening?
Should I be posting this problem in the Developer forum?
Thanks
Glad you got it sorted Jeff. Sorry for not replying sooner, I was out of the office yesterday.
Just for the reference of anyone stumbling across this post in the future... Yes, you can do a brand new install from CVS - just follow the instructions for checking out (downloading ) the entire Moodle code for the first time at http://docs.moodle.org/en/CVS_for_Administrators#Instructions
More CVS questions...
If I do a new install with CHECKOUT from CVS, it creates a new directory called 'moodle' and puts all the files in this directory.
- Can you change the name of the directory that it will CHECKOUT the files to, to something other than 'moodle'? If yes, how?
If the answer to the above question is yes, then ignore these questions...
- After the files are downloaded, can I change the name of this directory, before I go thru the Moodle install process?
- If I change the name of the directory, how will this affect doing a CVS Update?
Thanks
Rather than 'moodle', you can change the name of the directory that it will checkout the files to, by typing...
cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@uk.cvs.moodle.org:/cvsroot/moodle co -d mydirectory -r MOODLE_18_STABLE moodle
This downloads the MOODLE_18_STABLE branch into a directory called "mydirectory" (-d mydirectory). Remember to change the server to the nearest one to you, if that's not the UK server.
But you can certainly change the name of the directory after the files are downloaded, and before you go through the Moodle install process. And if you change the name of the directory before install, it will not affect anything during the install or during a CVS update.
If you change the name of the directory after an install, you will need to change the config.php to reflect the name change (guidance here). It won't affect the CVS update though.
Jon Bolton wrote "Rather than 'moodle', you can change the name of the directory that it will checkout the files to, by typing... cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@uk.cvs.moodle.org:/cvsroot/moodle co -d mydirectory -r MOODLE_18_STABLE moodle"
Thanks Jon, that's what I was looking for. I was having trouble deciphering the help for the cvs command in Putty... I didn't find it very helpful!!!
I assume I would then do the same thing with the update command?
cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@uk.cvs.moodle.org:/cvsroot/moodle update -d mydirectory -dP -r MOODLE_18_STABLE
Okay, the first time I tried it, I did NOT navigate to the moodle directory, so it didn't work, so I thought I needed to add all that other stuff, but once I got to the moodle directory, it worked fine!!!
But (I know, I'm always asking another question), how does the UPDATE know which version you want? I'm playing with MOODLE_19_BETA right now.
And (still another question) how often is it "updated" on the server?
The version is "sticky" so whatever version you last specified gets used.
MOODLE_19_BETA is just a normal tag of one moment in time on the main development version ... I've not been updating it. I just did now though, so if you update now you should see big changes.
Generally you should use branches instead, like MOODLE_18_STABLE, or HEAD. Right now there is no MOODLE_19_STABLE branch but there will be in the next day or so.
MOODLE_19_BETA is just a normal tag of one moment in time on the main development version ... I've not been updating it. I just did now though, so if you update now you should see big changes.
Generally you should use branches instead, like MOODLE_18_STABLE, or HEAD. Right now there is no MOODLE_19_STABLE branch but there will be in the next day or so.