Kristoffer Haugsbakk
b7f68ff5c9
The Linux Kernel regularly uses trailers (or “tags”) `Fixes` and
`Link`. Sometimes people submit patches to this project with them.
They have their use in that project but it is not clear what purpose
they would serve here.
For `Fixes`: Linux has many trees, and applying patches with
cherry-picks is common. A `Fixes` trailer in commit C2 pointing to
commit C1 helps the cherry-picker figure out that she probably needs
C2 if she wants to apply C1. See linux/d5d6281a (checkpatch: check for
missing Fixes tags, 2024-06-11):[1]
Why are stable patches encouraged to have a fixes tag? Some people
mark their stable patches as "# 5.10" etc. This is useful but a
Fixes tag is still a good idea. For example, the Fixes tag helps in
review. It helps people to not cherry-pick buggy patches without
also cherry-picking the fix.
In contrast the Git project has few trees (to my knowledge), and there
is much less need to cherry-pick fixes as opposed to either using
backmerges or rebasing all of the downstream tree’s commits on top of
git.git `master` from time to time.
This project does regularly mention what commits a patch/commit fixes,
but that is done inline in the commit message proper (cf. the trailer
block of the message).
For `Link`: These are used both to link back to the patch submission as
well as with footnotes. In contrast this project has `refs/notes/amlog`
for linking back to the patch submissions, and footnotes are only used
in the commit message proper.
† 1: Commit linux/d5d6281a has “linux” in front of it since this commit
is from the Linux Kernel, not Git. Example of a Linux tree—as well
as an example of `Link`—is [2].
Link: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/ [2]
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