TortoiseCVS is a front-end client to make using CVS easier and more intuitive. It allows developers to work with files controlled by CVS directly from Windows Explorer™.
One of the major drawbacks of CVS is the command-line interface that is provided. Many developers today are becoming more accustomed to the graphical integrated development environments (IDEs). TortoiseCVS aims to provide that "point-and-click" environment in a clever and intuitive way.
Note that TortoiseCVS is a CVS client, not a server. This document assumes that you either know how to set up your own server, or that you are using a server that somebody else set up. If you want to learn about setting up a CVS server, see Chapter 8, Resources.