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### How to edit a file which is being watched

Since a file which is being watched is checked out read-only, you cannot simply edit it. To make it read-write, and inform others that you are planning to edit it, use the `cvs edit` command. Some systems call this a checkout, but CVS uses that term for obtaining a copy of the sources (see section Getting the source), an operation which those systems call a get or a fetch.

Command: cvs edit [options] files ...

  Prepare to edit the working files files. CVS makes the files read-write, and notifies users who have requested `edit` notification for any of files.

  The `cvs edit` command accepts the same options as the `cvs watch add` command, and establishes a temporary watch for the user on files; CVS will remove the watch when files are `unedit`ed or `commit`ted. If the user does not wish to receive notifications, she should specify `-a none`.

  The files and `-l` option are processed as for the `cvs watch` commands.

Normally when you are done with a set of changes, you use the `cvs commit` command, which checks in your changes and returns the watched files to their usual read-only state. But if you instead decide to abandon your changes, or not to make any changes, you can use the `cvs unedit` command.

Command: cvs unedit [`-l`] files ...

  Abandon work on the working files files, and revert them to the repository versions on which they are based. CVS makes those files read-only for which users have requested notification using `cvs watch on`. CVS notifies users who have requested `unedit` notification for any of files.

  The files and `-l` option are processed as for the `cvs watch` commands.

  If watches are not in use, the `unedit` command probably does not work, and the way to revert to the repository version is to remove the file and then use `cvs update` to get a new copy. The meaning is not precisely the same; removing and updating may also bring in some changes which have been made in the repository since the last time you updated.

When using client/server CVS, you can use the `cvs edit` and `cvs unedit` commands even if CVS is unable to succesfully communicate with the server; the notifications will be sent upon the next successful CVS command.

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