Re: [PATCH 01/22] t3204: test deleting references when lock files already exist

> On Tue, Apr 01, 2014 at 05:58:09PM +0200, Michael Haggerty wrote:
> 
>> When deleting a reference, it might be that another process already
>> holds the lock on the loose reference file and/or the packed-refs
>> file.  In those cases, there is no alternative but for the delete to
>> fail.  Verify that in such cases the reference values are left
>> unchanged.
>>
>> But in fact, when the packed-refs file lock cannot be acquired, the
>> loose reference file is deleted anyway, potentially leaving the
>> reference with a changed value (its packed value, which might even
>> point at an object that has been garbage collected).  Thus one of the
>> new tests is marked test_expect_failure.
> 
> Nice find. If I understand correctly, the problem is at the plumbing
> level, and this could also be demonstrated with update-ref?
> 
> I don't think it is a big deal, but I was thrown for a minute by the use
> of "git branch" (as in, "is this something special with branches, or is
> this about all refs?").