The usual way to do a full repack (and what is done by
git-gc) is to run "repack -Ad --unpack-unreachable=<when>",
which will loosen any unreachable objects newer than
"<when>", and drop any older ones.
This is a safer alternative to "repack -ad", because
"<when>" becomes a grace period during which we will not
drop any new objects that are about to be referenced.
However, it isn't perfectly safe. It's always possible that
a process is about to reference an old object. Even if that
process were to take care to update the timestamp on the
object, there is no atomicity with a simultaneously running
"repack" process.
So while unlikely, there is a small race wherein we may drop
an object that is in the process of being referenced. If you
do automated repacking on a large number of active
repositories, you may hit it eventually, and the result is a
corrupted repository.
It would be nice to fix that race in the long run, but it's
complicated. In the meantime, there is a much simpler
strategy for automated repository maintenance: do not drop
objects at all. We already have a "--keep-unreachable"
option in pack-objects; we just need to plumb it through
from git-repack.
Note that this _isn't_ plumbed through from git-gc, so at
this point it's strictly a tool for people doing their own
advanced repository maintenance strategy.
Signed-off-by: Jeff King <peff@peff.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 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 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
