From: Erick Mattos Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:36:08 GMT Subject: Re: [PATCH v3] git checkout: create unparented branch by --orphan Message-ID: <55bacdd31003220736u72ea6453pd59d8fa82a3ed12@mail.gmail.com> In-Reply-To: <953BEDE2-1A17-49EA-BEC5-D198DBB1FF23@pobox.com> Hi again, 2010/3/22 Chris Johnsen : > The existing uses of --root are close to, but not identical to this proposed > usage. The existing uses all relate to handling the already created root > commit(s) of a commit/branch/repository. This proposed usage relates to the > yet to be created first commit on the new branch. It is possible to use the > "already created" interpretation in this context (create a new branch based > on the root commits of the specified commits), but it really does not make > much sense. Still, qualifying "root" might help prevent some confusion: > >    --new-root >    --fresh-root >    --root-branch? > >    --new-history >    --fresh-history >    --fresh-branch > > Logically, both --orphan and --root are descriptions of the commit that will > _eventually_ be stored under the branch, but not descriptions of the > transient state of the branch itself. This state is described in a few > error/warning messages as "not yet born" or "unborn" (checkout, pull, fsck). > It seems to be an unofficial term though (or maybe just unimportant) since > it is not otherwise documented (it is not in the glossary, but it does > appear in the release notes a few times). So with some weight of existing > terminology behind it: > >    --unborn > > --no-parent was mentioned elsewhere in the thread, but it suffers from > looking like a negation of a potential --parent option. Though much longer, > --without- does not suffer this same problem. > >    --without-parents >    --without-history >    --ahistorically    (probably the non-standard prefix is too "native") > >    --ex-nihilo        (just kidding?) > > -- > Chris > 2010/3/22 Michael J Gruber : > [Disclosure: non-native speaker but having lived with natives ;)] > > I'd favour "root" for several reasons: > > - "root" is the correct technical term in graph theory > - "root" is used the same way in other (Git) places > - "orphan" is someone who used to have parents, so with "orphan" I would > rather associate the process of removing parents from the picture > (removing parentship information from an existing commit) > > Just my two Euro-cents :) > Michael I really don't care about names as long as I will be able to create the 'orphan' branches. Whatever you people decide is good to me. Regards