covici(1)

NAME
     covici - Edit administrative databases under revision control.

SYNOPSIS
     covici file

DESCRIPTION
     covici retrieves a revision from an RCS file and opens it for editing
     using vi (1). The edited file is then stored as a new revision into the
     appropriate RCS file (see rcs (1)).

     A pathname matching an RCS suffix denotes an RCS file; other pathnames
     are assumed to denote working files not currently under RCS.

     If the pathname matches an RCS suffix covici runs co -l (see co (1)) and
     then loads the working file into vi. If the path does not match an RCS
     suffix the file is loaded directly into vi. After editing the working
     file is checked into revision control using ci -u (see ci (1)).

     Revisions of an RCS file are checked out locked. Locking a revision
     prevents overlapping updates.  covici fails if the revision to be checked
     out is currently locked by another user.  covici always retrieves the
     latest revision.

     After editing the file, covici removes the lock and deposits the contents
     of the updated file into the corresponding RCS file.  covici tries to
     find the corresponding RCS file in an RCS subdirectory and then in the
     working file's directory.  If the RCS file does not exist, covici creates
     it and deposits the contents of the working file as the initial revision
     (default number:  1.1).


FILE MODES
     covici always removes the write permissions of RCS files.


SEE ALSO
     co(1), ci(1), rcs(1), and vi(1).