There are two functions to get a single config string:
- git_config_get_string()
- git_config_get_string_const()
One might naively think that the first one allocates a new string and
the second one just points us to the internal configset storage. But
in fact they both allocate a new copy; the second one exists only to
avoid having to cast when using it with a const global which we never
intend to free.
The documentation for the function explains that clearly, but it seems
I'm not alone in being surprised by this. Of 17 calls to the function,
13 of them leak the resulting value.
We could obviously fix these by adding the appropriate free(). But it
would be simpler still if we actually had a non-allocating way to get
the string. There's git_config_get_value() but that doesn't quite do
what we want. If the config key is present but is a boolean with no
value (e.g., "[foo]bar" in the file), then we'll get NULL (whereas the
string versions will print an error and die).
So let's introduce a new variant, git_config_get_string_tmp(), that
behaves as these callers expect. We need a new name because we have new
semantics but the same function signature (so even if we converted the
four remaining callers, topics in flight might be surprised). The "tmp"
is because this value should only be held onto for a short time. In
practice it's rare for us to clear and refresh the configset,
invalidating the pointer, but hopefully the "tmp" makes callers think
about the lifetime. In each of the converted cases here the value only
needs to last within the local function or its immediate caller.
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
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Please read the file INSTALL for installation instructions.
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See Documentation/gittutorial.txt to get started, then see
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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>.
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(man gitcvs-migration or git help cvs-migration if git is
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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