In general, a revision control system manages multiple revisions to a single unit of information, typically a digital document containing source code. See revision control for more on this general usage.

The Revision Control System (RCS) is an implementation of such a system which automates the storing, retrieval, logging, identification, and merging of revisions. RCS is useful for text that is revised frequently, for example computer program, documentation, procedural graphics, papers, and form letters. RCS is also capable of handling binary files, though with reduced efficiency and efficacy. Revisions are stored with the aid of the Diff utility.

RCS was initially developed by Walter F. Tichy while he was at Purdue University. It is now part of the GNU project, but is still maintained by Purdue University.

Because it operates only on single files, has no way of working with an entire project, nor allows multiple users to work on a file simultaneously, it has been superseded by Concurrent Versions System and other packages capable of supporting complex projects. CVS was originally built upon RCS.

RCS is used by TWiki.

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