subversion (svn) E205007 (commit failed). could not use external editor to fetch log message

Question

In Cygwin, in the directory containing filename.xml, this adds a file (working):

svn add filename.xml

this updates (working):

svn update

But this fails:

svn ci filename.xml

with the message:

Error E205007 (commit failed). Could not use external editor to fetch log message.

In Windows Explorer, if I right click and use TortoiseSVN "SVN Commit" this successfully commits the file.

How do I commit a file to SVN in Cygwin?

Solution 1

You need to include a message when you commit. Use the command svn ci filename.xml -m "your message here". The message is a descriptor of what you are adding, and/or why you are adding it.

Solution 2

Check this out: Why cant I use the $SVN_EDITOR environment variable in cygwin?. You have to set a default editor for SVN, but just exporting EDITOR might do it.