Here below some general guidelines while using tfs server.
Most of you only have to use the following commands on tfs server.
1. Get latest version.
2. Check in
2. Checkout of edit.
1. Get latest version- Gets latest version from the tfs server to your local system.
2. Check in – Update your version to the tfs server.
3. Check out for edit – If you want to edit the file first you have to check out the file. Checkout the files means you are locking the file and letting other team members not to edit that file so that no-one can work on the same file at a same time. Others can only change after you check in the file.

There are three type of lock modes while you check out the file.
1. None (Allow shared checkout)
2. Check out(Prevent other users from checking out and checking in)
3. Check in(Allow other users to check out but prevent them from checkin in).

Most recommended way of checking out is to using Check out lock type. This insures that no-one is editing the same file at same time.

Summaring the general guidelines.
1. Before editing the file make sure its latest version. Do get latest.
2. Edit the file after you lock the file using Checkout lock option.
3. After you edit the file release the lock by checking in the file to the tfs server. By doing this you also uload the file to tfsserver.
4. Do checkin all files before you go home.
5. Do get latest always before you start work in the morning. Everyday morning.

6. Every hours you might have to lots of get latest, checkin and checkout.