strict checkout status

CVS does not 100% require to mark file as "checked out" or "edit".
I.e. you just can start edit it and then commit to server.
"Strict checkout" controls the way how "check out" files status
displayed
in IDE. When it is switched on file have "check out" status only if
"cvs edit" or "IDE checkout" command is applied. If you apply "cvs
edit" outside IDE file _will_ have status "checked out". But if you
just start to modify this file, without "cvs edit" file will not have
status "checkout".
When option switched off, file will have "check out" status not
only when "cvs edit" applied, but also when file just modified
externally.
We consider that better always apply "cvs edit" (strict checkout)
command before you edit file. That is because this way others will
know that you edit file, you will be able to apply "undo checkout" and
so on. That's why option is switched on by default.