The idea of `git-bash.exe` automatically running the Git Bash in the home directory was to support the start menu item `Git Bash` (which should not start in C:\Program Files\Git, but in $HOME), and to make that behavior consistent with double-clicking in `git-bash.exe` portable Git. However, it turns out that one of the main use cases of portable Git is to run the Git Bash in GitHub for Windows, and it should start in the top-level directory of a given project. Therefore, the concern to keep double-clicking `git-bash.exe` consistent with the start menu item was actually unfounded. As to the start menu item: it can easily be changed to launch `git-bash.exe` with a command-line option. So let's introduce the --cd-to-home option for that purpose. As a bonus, the Git wrapper can now also serve as a drop-in redirector /bin/bash.exe to provide backwards-compatibility of Git for Windows 2.x with 1.x: some 3rd-party software expects to find that executable there, and it also expects it to leave the working directory unchanged. Signed-off-by: Johannes Schindelin <johannes.schindelin@gmx.de>
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 http://git-scm.com/ including full documentation and Git related tools.
See Documentation/gittutorial.txt to get started, then see
Documentation/giteveryday.txt for a useful minimum set of commands, and
Documentation/git-.txt 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.txt
(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). To subscribe to the list, send an email with just "subscribe git" in the body to majordomo@vger.kernel.org. The mailing list archives are available at http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/, http://marc.info/?l=git and other archival sites.
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