Go to file
Jeff King efacf609c8 config: avoid "write_in_full(fd, buf, len) < len" pattern
The return type of write_in_full() is a signed ssize_t,
because we may return "-1" on failure (even if we succeeded
in writing some bytes). But "len" itself is may be an
unsigned type (the function takes a size_t, but of course we
may have something else in the calling function). So while
it seems like:

  if (write_in_full(fd, buf, len) < len)
	die_errno("write error");

would trigger on error, it won't if "len" is unsigned.  The
compiler sees a signed/unsigned comparison and promotes the
signed value, resulting in (size_t)-1, the highest possible
size_t (or again, whatever type the caller has). This cannot
possibly be smaller than "len", and so the conditional can
never trigger.

I scoured the code base for cases of this, but it turns out
that these two in git_config_set_multivar_in_file_gently()
are the only ones. Here our "len" is the difference between
two size_t variables, making the result an unsigned size_t.
We can fix this by just checking for a negative return value
directly, as write_in_full() will never return any value
except -1 or the full count.

There's no addition to the test suite here, since you need
to convince write() to fail in order to see the problem. The
simplest reproduction recipe I came up with is to trigger
ENOSPC:

  # make a limited-size filesystem
  dd if=/dev/zero of=small.disk bs=1M count=1
  mke2fs small.disk
  mkdir mnt
  sudo mount -o loop small.disk mnt
  cd mnt
  sudo chown $USER:$USER .

  # make a config file with some content
  git config --file=config one.key value
  git config --file=config two.key value

  # now fill up the disk
  dd if=/dev/zero of=fill

  # and try to delete a key, which requires copying the rest
  # of the file to config.lock, and will fail on write()
  git config --file=config --unset two.key

That final command should (and does after this patch)
produce an error message due to the failed write, and leave
the file intact. Instead, it silently ignores the failure
and renames config.lock into place, leaving you with a
totally empty config file!

Reported-by: demerphq <demerphq@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Jeff King <peff@peff.net>
Reviewed-by: Jonathan Nieder <jrnieder@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
2017-09-14 15:10:45 +09:00
.github Configure Git contribution guidelines for github.com 2017-06-13 08:41:47 -07:00
Documentation RelNotes: further fixes for 2.14.2 from the master front 2017-09-10 17:06:09 +09:00
block-sha1
builtin Merge branch 'rs/merge-microcleanup' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:02 +09:00
ci
compat Merge branch 'rs/win32-syslog-leakfix' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:54 +09:00
contrib add MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:53 -07:00
ewah use DIV_ROUND_UP 2017-07-10 14:24:36 -07:00
git-gui Merge branch 'js/msgfmt-on-windows' of ../git-gui into js/git-gui-msgfmt-on-windows 2017-07-25 13:42:41 -07:00
gitk-git
gitweb Merge branch 'hb/gitweb-project-list' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:44 -07:00
mergetools mergetools/meld: improve compatibiilty with Meld on macOS X 2017-06-18 22:11:29 -07:00
perl Merge branch 'jc/perl-git-comment-typofix' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:57 +09:00
po l10n: zh_CN: review for git v2.14.0 l10n 2017-08-02 08:02:37 +08:00
ppc
refs Merge branch 'mh/packed-ref-store-prep' 2017-06-26 14:09:29 -07:00
sha1collisiondetection@19d97bf5af sha1dc: optionally use sha1collisiondetection as a submodule 2017-07-03 10:09:34 -07:00
sha1dc Merge branch 'ab/sha1dc-maint' 2017-07-06 18:14:44 -07:00
t Merge branch 'hv/t5526-andand-chain-fix' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:05 +09:00
templates pre-rebase hook: capture documentation in a <<here document 2017-07-11 08:56:33 -07:00
vcs-svn Merge branch 'jn/vcs-svn-cleanup' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:09 +09:00
xdiff
.gitattributes
.gitignore
.gitmodules sha1dc: optionally use sha1collisiondetection as a submodule 2017-07-03 10:09:34 -07:00
.mailmap
.travis.yml
COPYING
GIT-VERSION-GEN Prepare for 2.14.2 2017-08-23 14:36:03 -07:00
INSTALL
LGPL-2.1
Makefile Merge branch 'jn/vcs-svn-cleanup' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:09 +09:00
README.md
RelNotes Prepare for 2.14.2 2017-08-23 14:36:03 -07:00
abspath.c Spelling fixes 2017-06-27 10:35:49 -07:00
aclocal.m4
advice.c Merge branch 'jk/warn-add-gitlink' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
advice.h add: warn when adding an embedded repository 2017-06-15 09:10:44 -07:00
alias.c Merge branch 'js/alias-case-sensitivity' 2017-07-20 16:29:59 -07:00
alloc.c
apply.c Merge branch 'rs/apply-lose-prefix-length' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:01 +09:00
apply.h apply: remove prefix_length member from apply_state 2017-08-09 10:21:45 -07:00
archive-tar.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
archive-zip.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
archive.c archive: don't queue excluded directories 2017-08-19 00:40:25 -07:00
archive.h
argv-array.c
argv-array.h
attr.c hashmap.h: compare function has access to a data field 2017-06-30 12:49:28 -07:00
attr.h
base85.c
bisect.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
bisect.h
blame.c Merge branch 'js/blame-lib' 2017-07-31 13:05:15 -07:00
blame.h
blob.c
blob.h
branch.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
branch.h
builtin.h git.c: provide setup_auto_pager() 2017-08-03 11:08:10 -07:00
bulk-checkin.c
bulk-checkin.h
bundle.c
bundle.h
cache-tree.c use MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:56 -07:00
cache-tree.h
cache.h Merge branch 'sb/sha1-file-cleanup' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:04 +09:00
check-builtins.sh
check-racy.c
check_bindir
color.c color: check color.ui in git_default_config() 2017-07-13 12:42:51 -07:00
color.h
column.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
column.h
combine-diff.c Merge branch 'bw/ls-files-sans-the-index' 2017-06-24 14:28:40 -07:00
command-list.txt
commit-slab.h *.[ch] refactoring: make use of the FREE_AND_NULL() macro 2017-06-16 12:44:09 -07:00
commit.c use MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:56 -07:00
commit.h commit: remove unused inline function single_parent() 2017-08-19 09:24:05 -07:00
common-main.c
config.c config: avoid "write_in_full(fd, buf, len) < len" pattern 2017-09-14 15:10:45 +09:00
config.h config: read config from a repository object 2017-06-23 18:24:34 -07:00
config.mak.in
config.mak.uname config.mak.uname: set FREAD_READS_DIRECTORIES for cygwin 2017-07-21 11:58:06 -07:00
configure.ac Merge branch 'nd/fopen-errors' 2017-06-22 14:15:20 -07:00
connect.c Git 2.13.5 2017-08-04 12:40:37 -07:00
connect.h
connected.c
connected.h
convert.c Merge branch 'tb/apply-with-crlf' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:55 +09:00
convert.h Merge branch 'tb/apply-with-crlf' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:55 +09:00
copy.c
credential-cache--daemon.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
credential-cache.c Merge branch 'dl/credential-cache-socket-in-xdg-cache' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:45 -07:00
credential-store.c
credential.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
credential.h
csum-file.c
csum-file.h
ctype.c
daemon.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
date.c Merge branch 'ab/strbuf-addftime-tzname-boolify' 2017-07-06 18:14:47 -07:00
decorate.c
decorate.h
delta.h
diff-delta.c
diff-lib.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
diff-no-index.c
diff.c color: check color.ui in git_default_config() 2017-07-13 12:42:51 -07:00
diff.h Merge branch 'bw/object-id' 2017-06-19 12:38:44 -07:00
diffcore-break.c
diffcore-delta.c
diffcore-order.c wildmatch: remove unused wildopts parameter 2017-06-23 18:27:07 -07:00
diffcore-pickaxe.c
diffcore-rename.c hashmap.h: compare function has access to a data field 2017-06-30 12:49:28 -07:00
diffcore.h
dir-iterator.c
dir-iterator.h
dir.c Merge branch 'rs/stat-data-unaligned-reads-fix' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:48 -07:00
dir.h Merge branch 'pc/dir-count-slashes' 2017-06-22 14:15:21 -07:00
editor.c
entry.c convert: add "status=delayed" to filter process protocol 2017-06-30 13:50:41 -07:00
environment.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
exec_cmd.c
exec_cmd.h
fast-import.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
fetch-pack.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
fetch-pack.h
fmt-merge-msg.h
fsck.c
fsck.h
generate-cmdlist.sh
gettext.c
gettext.h
git-add--interactive.perl Merge branch 'pw/unquote-path-in-git-pm' into maint 2017-07-31 13:51:05 -07:00
git-archimport.perl
git-bisect.sh
git-compat-util.h Merge branch 'rs/move-array' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:46 -07:00
git-cvsexportcommit.perl
git-cvsimport.perl
git-cvsserver.perl
git-difftool--helper.sh
git-filter-branch.sh filter-branch: add [--] to usage 2017-06-12 09:49:52 -07:00
git-instaweb.sh
git-merge-octopus.sh scripts: use "git foo" not "git-foo" 2017-08-07 12:04:45 -07:00
git-merge-one-file.sh scripts: use "git foo" not "git-foo" 2017-08-07 12:04:45 -07:00
git-merge-resolve.sh scripts: use "git foo" not "git-foo" 2017-08-07 12:04:45 -07:00
git-mergetool--lib.sh
git-mergetool.sh
git-p4.py git-p4: filter for {'code':'info'} in p4CmdList 2017-07-13 10:52:42 -07:00
git-parse-remote.sh
git-quiltimport.sh
git-rebase--am.sh rebase: honor --rerere-autoupdate 2017-08-02 15:16:09 -07:00
git-rebase--interactive.sh rebase -i: honor --rerere-autoupdate 2017-08-02 15:16:09 -07:00
git-rebase--merge.sh
git-rebase.sh Merge branch 'pw/rebase-i-regression-fix-tests' into maint 2017-07-10 13:59:00 -07:00
git-remote-testgit.sh
git-request-pull.sh
git-send-email.perl Merge branch 'xz/send-email-batch-size' 2017-07-06 18:14:46 -07:00
git-sh-i18n.sh
git-sh-setup.sh
git-stash.sh Merge branch 'mf/no-dashed-subcommands' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:56 +09:00
git-submodule.sh Merge branch 'sb/submodule-parallel-update' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:06 +09:00
git-svn.perl
git-web--browse.sh
git.c git.c: ignore pager.* when launching builtin as dashed external 2017-08-03 11:08:11 -07:00
git.rc
gpg-interface.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
gpg-interface.h
graph.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
graph.h
grep.c Merge branch 'as/grep-quiet-no-match-exit-code-fix' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:55 +09:00
grep.h grep: remove regflags from the public grep_opt API 2017-06-30 10:06:24 -07:00
hash.h sha1dc: optionally use sha1collisiondetection as a submodule 2017-07-03 10:09:34 -07:00
hashmap.c hashmap.h: compare function has access to a data field 2017-06-30 12:49:28 -07:00
hashmap.h hashmap: migrate documentation from Documentation/technical into header 2017-06-30 13:11:59 -07:00
help.c Merge branch 'mb/reword-autocomplete-message' into maint 2017-07-10 13:59:04 -07:00
help.h
hex.c
http-backend.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
http-fetch.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
http-push.c coccinelle: make use of the "type" FREE_AND_NULL() rule 2017-06-16 12:44:03 -07:00
http-walker.c
http.c Merge branch 'jc/http-sslkey-and-ssl-cert-are-paths' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:43 -07:00
http.h
ident.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
imap-send.c Merge branch 'rs/use-div-round-up' 2017-07-12 15:18:23 -07:00
iterator.h
khash.h
kwset.c
kwset.h
levenshtein.c
levenshtein.h
line-log.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
line-log.h
line-range.c
line-range.h
list-objects.c
list-objects.h
list.h
ll-merge.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
ll-merge.h
lockfile.c
lockfile.h
log-tree.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
log-tree.h
mailinfo.c Spelling fixes 2017-06-27 10:35:49 -07:00
mailinfo.h
mailmap.c
mailmap.h
match-trees.c
merge-blobs.c
merge-blobs.h
merge-recursive.c Merge branch 'sb/merge-recursive-code-cleanup' 2017-07-06 18:14:45 -07:00
merge-recursive.h
merge.c
mergesort.c
mergesort.h
mru.c
mru.h
name-hash.c hashmap.h: compare function has access to a data field 2017-06-30 12:49:28 -07:00
notes-cache.c
notes-cache.h
notes-merge.c use MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:56 -07:00
notes-merge.h notes-merge: convert notes_merge* to struct object_id 2017-06-05 11:23:58 +09:00
notes-utils.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
notes-utils.h
notes.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
notes.h
object.c object: remove "used" field from struct object 2017-07-20 14:54:08 -07:00
object.h object: remove "used" field from struct object 2017-07-20 14:54:08 -07:00
oidset.c hashmap.h: compare function has access to a data field 2017-06-30 12:49:28 -07:00
oidset.h
pack-bitmap-write.c
pack-bitmap.c Merge branch 'jc/pack-bitmap-unaligned' into maint 2017-07-10 13:59:00 -07:00
pack-bitmap.h
pack-check.c
pack-objects.c
pack-objects.h
pack-revindex.c
pack-revindex.h
pack-write.c
pack.h
pager.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
parse-options-cb.c
parse-options.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
parse-options.h
patch-delta.c
patch-ids.c patch-ids.c: use hashmap correctly 2017-06-30 13:11:54 -07:00
patch-ids.h
path.c Git 2.13.5 2017-08-04 12:40:37 -07:00
path.h path: add repo_worktree_path and strbuf_repo_worktree_path 2017-06-23 18:24:34 -07:00
pathspec.c Spelling fixes 2017-06-27 10:35:49 -07:00
pathspec.h
pkt-line.c sub-process: refactor handshake to common function 2017-07-26 13:00:40 -07:00
pkt-line.h sub-process: refactor handshake to common function 2017-07-26 13:00:40 -07:00
preload-index.c
pretty.c pretty: respect color settings for %C placeholders 2017-07-13 12:42:51 -07:00
prio-queue.c *.[ch] refactoring: make use of the FREE_AND_NULL() macro 2017-06-16 12:44:09 -07:00
prio-queue.h
progress.c progress: show overall rate in last update 2017-07-09 09:54:20 -07:00
progress.h
prompt.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
prompt.h
quote.c
quote.h
reachable.c
reachable.h
read-cache.c use MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:56 -07:00
ref-filter.c ref-filter: consult want_color() before emitting colors 2017-07-13 12:42:51 -07:00
ref-filter.h ref-filter: consult want_color() before emitting colors 2017-07-13 12:42:51 -07:00
reflog-walk.c use MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:56 -07:00
reflog-walk.h reflog-walk: apply --since/--until to reflog dates 2017-07-09 10:00:48 -07:00
refs.c Merge branch 'cc/ref-is-hidden-microcleanup' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:50 -07:00
refs.h Spelling fixes 2017-06-27 10:35:49 -07:00
remote-curl.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
remote-testsvn.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
remote.c hashmap.h: compare function has access to a data field 2017-06-30 12:49:28 -07:00
remote.h
replace_object.c
repository.c repository: enable initialization of submodules 2017-06-23 18:24:34 -07:00
repository.h repository: enable initialization of submodules 2017-06-23 18:24:34 -07:00
rerere.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
rerere.h
resolve-undo.c
resolve-undo.h
revision.c Merge branch 'jk/rev-list-empty-input' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:48 +09:00
revision.h revision: add rev_input_given flag 2017-08-02 15:45:20 -07:00
run-command.c Merge branch 'js/run-process-parallel-api-fix' into maint 2017-08-23 14:33:49 -07:00
run-command.h
send-pack.c Spelling fixes 2017-06-27 10:35:49 -07:00
send-pack.h
sequencer.c cherry-pick/revert: remember --rerere-autoupdate 2017-08-02 15:16:09 -07:00
sequencer.h
server-info.c Merge branch 'nd/fopen-errors' 2017-06-13 13:47:09 -07:00
setup.c Merge branch 'js/alias-early-config' into maint 2017-07-10 13:58:58 -07:00
sh-i18n--envsubst.c
sha1-array.c coccinelle: make use of the "type" FREE_AND_NULL() rule 2017-06-16 12:44:03 -07:00
sha1-array.h
sha1-lookup.c
sha1-lookup.h
sha1_file.c Merge branch 'sb/sha1-file-cleanup' into maint 2017-09-10 17:03:04 +09:00
sha1_name.c Merge branch 'rs/use-div-round-up' 2017-07-12 15:18:23 -07:00
sha1dc_git.c
sha1dc_git.h
shallow.c Merge branch 'rs/use-div-round-up' 2017-07-12 15:18:23 -07:00
shell.c
shortlog.h
show-index.c
sideband.c
sideband.h
sigchain.c
sigchain.h
split-index.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
split-index.h Revert "split-index: add and use unshare_split_index()" 2017-06-24 12:02:39 -07:00
strbuf.c Merge branch 'rs/pretty-add-again' into maint 2017-07-10 13:58:57 -07:00
strbuf.h Merge branch 'rs/pretty-add-again' into maint 2017-07-10 13:58:57 -07:00
streaming.c
streaming.h
string-list.c use MOVE_ARRAY 2017-07-17 14:54:56 -07:00
string-list.h
sub-process.c sub-process: print the cmd when a capability is unsupported 2017-08-16 09:40:33 -07:00
sub-process.h sub-process: refactor handshake to common function 2017-07-26 13:00:40 -07:00
submodule-config.c Merge branch 'sb/pull-rebase-submodule' 2017-07-13 16:14:54 -07:00
submodule-config.h Merge branch 'sb/pull-rebase-submodule' 2017-07-13 16:14:54 -07:00
submodule.c Merge branch 'bw/push-options-recursively-to-submodules' into maint 2017-09-10 17:02:49 +09:00
submodule.h Merge branch 'sb/pull-rebase-submodule' 2017-07-13 16:14:54 -07:00
symlinks.c
tag.c
tag.h
tar.h
tempfile.c
tempfile.h
thread-utils.c
thread-utils.h
tmp-objdir.c
tmp-objdir.h
trace.c
trace.h
trailer.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
trailer.h
transport-helper.c coccinelle: make use of the "type" FREE_AND_NULL() rule 2017-06-16 12:44:03 -07:00
transport.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
transport.h
tree-diff.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
tree-walk.c Merge branch 'jk/diff-blob' into maint 2017-06-24 15:29:28 -07:00
tree-walk.h
tree.c Merge branch 'ab/free-and-null' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
tree.h tree: convert read_tree to take an index parameter 2017-06-13 11:40:51 -07:00
unicode_width.h unicode: update the width tables to Unicode 10 2017-07-07 10:33:30 -07:00
unimplemented.sh
unix-socket.c
unix-socket.h
unpack-trees.c Merge branch 'ls/filter-process-delayed' into jt/subprocess-handshake 2017-07-26 12:56:19 -07:00
unpack-trees.h
upload-pack.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
url.c
url.h
urlmatch.c urlmatch: use hex2chr() in append_normalized_escapes() 2017-07-09 09:43:01 -07:00
urlmatch.h
usage.c die(): stop hiding errors due to overzealous recursion guard 2017-06-21 14:09:13 -07:00
userdiff.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
userdiff.h
utf8.c
utf8.h
varint.c
varint.h
version.c
version.h
versioncmp.c config: don't include config.h by default 2017-06-15 12:56:22 -07:00
walker.c
walker.h
wildmatch.c wildmatch: remove unused wildopts parameter 2017-06-23 18:27:07 -07:00
wildmatch.h wildmatch: remove unused wildopts parameter 2017-06-23 18:27:07 -07:00
worktree.c path: convert strbuf_git_common_path to take a 'struct repository' 2017-06-23 18:24:34 -07:00
worktree.h
wrap-for-bin.sh
wrapper.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
write_or_die.c
ws.c
wt-status.c Merge branch 'rs/wt-status-cleanup' 2017-07-12 15:18:23 -07:00
wt-status.h Merge branch 'ks/status-initial-commit' 2017-06-30 13:45:22 -07:00
xdiff-interface.c Merge branch 'bw/config-h' 2017-06-24 14:28:41 -07:00
xdiff-interface.h
zlib.c

README.md

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-.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 https://public-inbox.org/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