README for vcp - Version CoPy vcp (and the Perl module VCP.pm) is a system for copying resources under version control between repositories. cvs, p4 and RevML files are currently supported. vcp can re-root directory hierarchies diring the transfer, and, using source specifications, or by filtering RevML files, subsets of files and revisions may be copied. Both whole-repository and incremental updates are supported. STATUS This code is in late alpha state. It current supports CVS, Perforce's p4, and RevML sources and destinations. It currently runs only on Unix-like platforms, including cygwin, due to reliance on select(). It will be ported to run on Windows platforms soon, or you can try it on a cygwin port of perl (which I have heard simulates select() rather well). vcp is known to copy simple repositories back and forth between all sources and destinations included (CVS, p4, and RevML as I'm typing this). It has not been deeply tested, though a moderately thorough test suite for basic operation is included. Expect bugs, and please report them to revml@perforce.com . Many thanks! vcp currently only transfers straight-line revisions, pretty much on the main branch in CVS, or on any branch in p4. COPYRIGHT & LICENSE Development of this utility is partially funded by Perforce. All software so funded is Copyright 2000, Perforce Software, Inc. Contributed portions not assigned to Perforce are Copyright to their respective creators. Such contributed code is clearly marked and demarcated in the source code. Perforce has not determined the license for this code, though they have authorized it's publication as open source. We will get a license hammered out soon, until then, you are free to read and experiment with this code, but not to redistribute it in any form. This restriction will be loosened as soon as the appropriate license is agreed upon. INSTALLATION See the INSTALL file for details, but a normal install should be done by doing a $ perl -MCPAN -eshell cpan> install VCP . This convinces CPAN to do all the dirty work of fetching and installing required modules for you. REQUIREMENTS If you want to use the p4 I/O features, v99.2 or later is required (vcp uses the filelog -m option). Not sure about cvs. THINGS TO READ The vcp program carries it's own documentation in it. The main program documentation can be read by doing a vcp help or perldoc path/to/vcp . If you are going source spelunking, a reasonable reading list might be: bin/vcp VCP VCP::Plugin VCP::Source VCP::Dest VCP::Rev VCP::Revs VCP::Source::* VCP::Dest::* revml.dtd RevML::Doctype You may browse the source in Perforce's online source repository starting at http://public.perforce.com/public/index.html I'll update this file with better links when I get the project checked in. SUPPORT 1. Please read the documentation. It's not as good as it will be, but it'll keep you from distracting the author(s) with trivial questions when they should be working on debugging and features. 2. Where the documentation is lacking, get us to clarify it. 3. Send all queries, gripes, and kudos to revml@perforce.com . Please feel free to join the list by sending a message to revml-subscribe@perforce.com or by typing & clicking away at http://maillist.perforce.com/mailman/listinfo/revml CONTRIBUTING Lots of work can be done at all levels. We'd love to have you help! Some areas we need help in are: 1) Bug fixes, extensions There are bugs to squash and minor features to add. You'll know them when you trip over them :-). Feel free to brainstorm on-list. The recommended way to submit a patch is to use diff -Naur old_root/ new_root/ and send the patch to the list in the body of the message or as a plain text (ie non-uuencoded) attachment. PLEASE don't cut and paste patches in your GUI, that screws up whitespace and sometimes worse. Please try to patch the most recent version in the repository, but don't feel that you have to. 2) Drivers, drivers, drivers We really need drivers for lots of other RCSs. Most notable are SourceSafe, SCCS, and bitkeeper. No drivers that are fairly functional will be turned down, though you should ask on-list if anyone's working on one so you can combine efforts if possible and avoid duplicated/wasted effort. 3) Major features The most major feature on the TODO list is branching. It's still on the TODO list because it's hard to map between the various branching metaphors, or other metaphors (like bitkeeper's LODs) out there. 4) Other uses for RevML RevML is not just for vcp. It's a farily generic doctype that should be useful for other things. Feel free to find other uses for it. Many thanks, Barrie Slaymaker