Can we include third-party code, libraries, or datasets in CVS?
In practice, we do, in many modules (including several of mine). The code ranges from small javascript libraries to databases several megabites in size. This is not to say it's right, just that it's done. And we have some external code in Drupal core (jquery.js).
Recently I suggested pulling various jQuery libraries into a common module to avoid having them included multiple times in different modules' CVS directories, http://groups.drupal.org/node/2787. Gerhard informed me quite appropriately that we restrict third party code in CVS.
Now that I look, I find this is what we say in the Drupal CVS contributions README:
"In cases where another non-Drupal project is required DO NOT include that code in the repository. Instead provide a link where the other code can be downloaded and instructions on how to install it."
I could and presumably should delete the jQuery and other external code I have in my modules. But doing so personally won't address the general issue. I'd like first to discuss the issue and see if we can find some solutions.