2.6 Invoking rcs

The rcs command is unique in the set of RCS programs in that it has two usages, the modern (for RCS 5.9.0 and later) and the legacy.

2.6.1 modern

rcs [options] command [command-arg …]

This rcs usage dispatches to command, passing along command-arg… without interpretation.

--commands

Display a list of available commands, including a one-line description, and exit successfully.

--aliases

Display a list of command aliases and exit successfully.

--help command

Display help for a particular command and exit successfully. For example, to display help for the legacy interface, use:

--help frob

2.6.2 legacy

rcs frob [options] file …
(or “rcs” instead of “rcs frob”)

This rcs usage performs various administrative operations on the RCS file, depending on the options given.

-i

Create and initialize a new RCS file.

-L

Set strict locking.

-U

Set non-strict locking.

-M

Don’t send mail when breaking someone else’s lock.

-T

Preserve the modification time on the RCS file unless a revision is removed.

-I

-q

See Misc common options.

-alogins

Append logins (comma-separated list of usernames) to access-list.

-e[logins]

Erase logins (comma-separated list of usernames) from access-list. If logins is omitted, clear the access-list.

-Afile-name

Append access-list of file-name to current access-list.

-b[rev]

Set default branch to that of rev or highest branch on trunk if rev is omitted.

-l[rev]

Lock a revision.

-u[rev]

Unlock a revision.

-cstring

Set comment leader to string. NB: Don’t use; obsolete.

-ksubst

See Substitution mode option.

-mrev:[msg]

Replace log message with msg. See Log message option.

-nname[:[rev]]

If :rev is omitted, delete symbolic name. Otherwise, associate name with rev; name must be new.

-Nname[:[rev]]

Like -n, but overwrite any previous assignment.

-orange

Outdate revisions in range:

rev

single revision

br

latest revision on branch br

rev1:rev2

rev1 to rev2 on same branch, inclusive

:rev

beginning of branch to rev

rev:

rev to end of branch

-sstate[:rev]

See Misc common options. Set state.

-t-text

-tfile-name

See Description option. Replace description.

-V

-Vn

-xsuff

See Misc common options.

These options have no effect, and are included solely for consistency with other comamnds (see Environment): -zzone.