1. Introduction

The purpose of this document is to introduce Software Configuration Management and explore how formal Software Configuration Management practices fits the Open Source model of software development.

We further explore approaches or strategies for Software Configuration Management in the Open Source world for projects of different sizes using modern Software Configuration Management tools.

1.1. Copyright Information

This document is Copyright © 2001 Vivek Venugopalan Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license can be found in Appendix A.

1.2. New Versions of this HOWTO

This is version 0.1 of the document. The latest version can always be found at

Have to create a page on one of the free servers for this.

1.3. Disclaimer

No liability for the contents of this document can be accepted. Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk. As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors and inaccuracies that may of course be damaging to your system. Proceed with caution. Although the authors have attempted to remove any problems, the author(s) do not take any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies and damages arising from using this information.

All copyrights are held by their by their respective owners, unless specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen as endorsements.

You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system before major installation and backups at regular intervals.

1.4. Credits

This HOWTO would not have been possible without the generous contribution of the people on the internet.

1.5. Feedback

Feedback is most certainly welcome for this document. Without your submissions and input, this document wouldn't exist. Please send your additions, comments and criticisms to the following email address : .