cvs -nq update -dP
If updates are available, this will display output similar to:
U modules/test/test.module
U modules/testing2/testing2.module
2. Update Core
cvs update -dP
This will actually update all the modules which the previous command indicated would be available for update
Common Gotchas
The update command will search for CVS updates in the current directory and any subdirectories. So if you are in the modules directory, you’ll only see available updates for the modules directory and below. If you want to search all of core, you need to be at the root of your website.
Any folders not under CVS control will be listed with a question mark prefix in the list
? /modules/sillymistake
indicates that I created a folder called ‘sillymistake’ in the modules folder. This folder is not known to CVS, so it’s indicated as ? (implying ‘ey? What? Never heard of this folder!’)
Any folders in the repository which are not in your local working copy with be marked as ignored
cvs update: New directory 'node/tests' -- ignored
For core, I normally see about 25 core modules ignored.
Caveat: I’m not expert at CVS, but the Drupal specific CVS information out there is pretty limited. I’m just recording what I find out, and amending it when I discover that I’m wrong. If I am incorrect, please let me know!