Global options

-b bindir

Use bindir as the directory where rcs programs are located. Overrides the setting of the $RCSBIN environment variable and any precompiled directory. This parameter should be specified as an absolute pathname.

-d cvs_root_directory

Use cvs_root_directory as the root directory pathname of the repository. Overrides the setting of the $CVSROOT environment variable. See Repository.

-e editor

Use editor to enter revision log information. Overrides the setting of the $CVSEDITOR and $EDITOR environment variables.

-f

Do not read the ~/.cvsrc file. This option is most often used because of the non-orthogonality of the cvs option set. For example, the `cvs log' option `-N' (turn off display of tag names) does not have a corresponding option to turn the display on. So if you have `-N' in the ~/.cvsrc entry for `diff', you may need to use `-f' to show the tag names. (1)

-H

Display usage information about the specified `cvs_command' (but do not actually execute the command). If you don't specify a command name, `cvs -H' displays a summary of all the commands available.

-l

Do not log the cvs_command in the command history (but execute it anyway). See history, for information on command history.

-n

Do not change any files. Attempt to execute the `cvs_command', but only to issue reports; do not remove, update, or merge any existing files, or create any new files.

-Q

Cause the command to be really quiet; the command will only generate output for serious problems.

-q

Cause the command to be somewhat quiet; informational messages, such as reports of recursion through subdirectories, are suppressed.

-r

Make new working files files read-only. Same effect as if the $CVSREAD environment variable is set (see Environment variables). The default is to make working files writable.

-t

Trace program execution; display messages showing the steps of cvs activity. Particularly useful with `-n' to explore the potential impact of an unfamiliar command.

-v

Display version and copyright information for cvs.

-w

Make new working files read-write. Overrides the setting of the $CVSREAD environment variable. Files are created read-write by default, unless $CVSREAD is set or `-r' is given.

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