git-format-patch(1) and git-am(1) deal with formatting commits as
patches and applying them, respectively. Naturally they use a few
delimiters to mark where the commit message ends. This can lead to
surprising behavior when these delimiters are used in the commit
message itself.
git-format-patch(1) will accept any commit message and not warn or error
about these delimiters being used.[1]
Especially problematic is the presence of unindented diffs in the commit
message; the patch machinery will naturally (since the commit message
has ended) try to apply that diff and everything after it.[2]
It is unclear whether any commands in this chain will learn to warn
about this. One concern could be that users have learned to rely on
the three-dash line rule to conveniently add extra-commit message
information in the commit message, knowing that git-am(1) will
ignore it.[4]
All of this is covered already, technically. However, we should spell
out the implications.
† 1: There is also git-commit(1) to consider. However, making that
command warn or error out over such delimiters would be disruptive
to all Git users who never use email in their workflow.
† 2: Recently patch(1) caused this issue for a project, but it was noted
that git-am(1) has the same behavior[3]
† 3: https://github.com/i3/i3/pull/6564#issuecomment-3858381425
† 4: https://lore.kernel.org/git/xmqqldh4b5y2.fsf@gitster.g/
https://lore.kernel.org/git/V3_format-patch_caveats.354@msgid.xyz/
Reported-by: Matthias Beyer <mail@beyermatthias.de>
Reported-by: Christoph Anton Mitterer <calestyo@scientia.org>
Reported-by: Matheus Tavares <matheus.tavb@gmail.com>
Reported-by: Chris Packham <judge.packham@gmail.com>
Helped-by: Jakob Haufe <sur5r@sur5r.net>
Helped-by: Phillip Wood <phillip.wood@dunelm.org.uk>
Signed-off-by: Kristoffer Haugsbakk <code@khaugsbakk.name>
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