The "pack.preferBitmapTips" configuration allows the user to specify
which references should be preferred when generating bitmaps. This
option is typically expected to be set to a reference prefix, like for
example "refs/heads/".
It's not unreasonable though for a user to configure one specific
reference as preferred. But if they do, they'll hit a `BUG()`:
$ git -c pack.preferBitmapTips=refs/heads/main repack -adb
BUG: ../refs/iterator.c:366: attempt to trim too many characters
error: pack-objects died of signal 6
The root cause for this bug is how we enumerate these references. We
call `refs_for_each_ref_in()`, which will:
- Yield all references that have a user-specified prefix.
- Trim each of these references so that the prefix is removed.
Typically, this function is called with a trailing slash, like
"refs/heads/", and in that case things work alright. But if the function
is called with the name of an existing reference then we'll try to trim
the full reference name, which would leave us with an empty name. And as
this would not really leave us with anything sensible, we call `BUG()`
instead of yielding this reference.
One could argue that this is a bug in `refs_for_each_ref_in()`. But the
question then becomes what the correct behaviour would be:
- Do we want to skip exact matches? In our case we certainly don't
want that, as the user has asked us to generate a bitmap for it.
- Do we want to yield the reference with the empty refname? That would
lead to a somewhat weird result.
Neither of these feel like viable options, so calling `BUG()` feels like
a sensible way out. The root cause ultimately is that we even try to
trim the whole refname in the first place. There are two possible ways
to fix this issue:
- We can fix the bug by using `refs_for_each_fullref_in()` instead,
which does not strip the prefix at all. Consequently, we would now
start to accept all references that start with the configured
prefix, including exact matches. So if we had "refs/heads/main", we
would both match "refs/heads/main" and "refs/heads/main-branch".
- Or we can fix the bug by appending a slash to the prefix if it
doesn't already have one. This would mean that we only match
ref hierarchies that start with this prefix.
While the first fix leaves the user with strictly _more_ configuration
options, we have already fixed a similar case in 10e8a9352b (refs.c:
stop matching non-directory prefixes in exclude patterns, 2025-03-06) by
using the second option. So for the sake of consistency, let's apply the
same fix here.
Clarify the documentation accordingly.
Signed-off-by: Patrick Steinhardt <ps@pks.im>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
Git - fast, scalable, distributed revision control system
Git is a fast, scalable, distributed revision control system with an unusually rich command set that provides both high-level operations and full access to internals.
Git is an Open Source project covered by the GNU General Public License version 2 (some parts of it are under different licenses, compatible with the GPLv2). It was originally written by Linus Torvalds with help of a group of hackers around the net.
Please read the file INSTALL for installation instructions.
Many Git online resources are accessible from https://git-scm.com/ including full documentation and Git related tools.
See Documentation/gittutorial.adoc to get started, then see
Documentation/giteveryday.adoc for a useful minimum set of commands, and
Documentation/git-<commandname>.adoc for documentation of each command.
If git has been correctly installed, then the tutorial can also be
read with man gittutorial or git help tutorial, and the
documentation of each command with man git-<commandname> or git help <commandname>.
CVS users may also want to read Documentation/gitcvs-migration.adoc
(man gitcvs-migration or git help cvs-migration if git is
installed).
The user discussion and development of Git take place on the Git mailing list -- everyone is welcome to post bug reports, feature requests, comments and patches to git@vger.kernel.org (read Documentation/SubmittingPatches for instructions on patch submission and Documentation/CodingGuidelines).
Those wishing to help with error message, usage and informational message
string translations (localization l10) should see po/README.md
(a po file is a Portable Object file that holds the translations).
To subscribe to the list, send an email to git+subscribe@vger.kernel.org (see https://subspace.kernel.org/subscribing.html for details). The mailing list archives are available at https://lore.kernel.org/git/, https://marc.info/?l=git and other archival sites.
Issues which are security relevant should be disclosed privately to the Git Security mailing list git-security@googlegroups.com.
The maintainer frequently sends the "What's cooking" reports that list the current status of various development topics to the mailing list. The discussion following them give a good reference for project status, development direction and remaining tasks.
The name "git" was given by Linus Torvalds when he wrote the very first version. He described the tool as "the stupid content tracker" and the name as (depending on your mood):
- random three-letter combination that is pronounceable, and not actually used by any common UNIX command. The fact that it is a mispronunciation of "get" may or may not be relevant.
- stupid. contemptible and despicable. simple. Take your pick from the dictionary of slang.
- "global information tracker": you're in a good mood, and it actually works for you. Angels sing, and a light suddenly fills the room.
- "goddamn idiotic truckload of sh*t": when it breaks