Some CVS command you never like to forget.

1. Checkout the repository for particular dated tree
Use -D "yyyy-mm-dd" to checkout/update the code based as per the date yyyymmdd. Note that the changes committed on yyyymmdd will not be included.
for example :
cvs -d 'repository'checkout -d 'basename' -D "yyyy-mm-dd" 'basename'

2) Update the code in the current tree with repect to paritcular date.
cd 'folder_path'
cvs update -D "yyyy-mm-dd"

3) To retrieve a file based on the version.
cvs update -r1.7 build.xml

4) To checkout particular folder /file.
cvs -d 'repository' checkout -d 'file/folder_path'

5) to checkout particular folder form particular tree.
cvs -d 'repository' checkout -d 'file/folder_path' -D "yyyy-mm-dd" 'file/folder_path'

6) To cross check. Thing you did are correct or not?
less CVS/Entries
& look at the tag enties .