Branch & Merge strategies

[Keith Beattie]

Hi all,

I'd like to learn more about how large projects use CVS (or whatever system
they use) to manage their development and releases issues as they relate to
branch management.  For example, exactly how does Linux handle branching and
merging?  FreeBSD, XFree86, or even CVS itself?

Anyone have some references or willing to explain how a specific (open or
closed source) project solves this problem?

Thanks,
Keith