It is quite common for users to want to ignore the changes to a file
that Git tracks. Common scenarios for this case are IDE settings and
configuration files, which should generally not be tracked and possibly
generated from tracked files using a templating mechanism.
However, users learn about the assume-unchanged and skip-worktree bits
and try to use them to do this anyway. This is problematic, because
when these bits are set, many operations behave as the user expects, but
they usually do not help when git checkout needs to replace a file.
There is no sensible behavior in this case, because sometimes the data
is precious, such as certain configuration files, and sometimes it is
irrelevant data that the user would be happy to discard.
Since this is not a supported configuration and users are prone to
misuse the existing features for unintended purposes, causing general
sadness and confusion, let's document the existing behavior and the
pitfalls in the documentation for git update-index so that users know
they should explore alternate solutions.
In addition, let's provide a recommended solution to dealing with the
common case of configuration files, since there are well-known
approaches used successfully in many environments.
Signed-off-by: Jeff King <peff@peff.net>
Signed-off-by: brian m. carlson <sandals@crustytoothpaste.net>
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.txt to get started, then see
Documentation/giteveryday.txt for a useful minimum set of commands, and
Documentation/git-<commandname>.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).
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
