From: Junio C Hamano Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2012 07:34:54 GMT Subject: Re: [PATCH v3 1/3] git-submodule add: Add -r/--record option Message-ID: <7v390jqlep.fsf@alter.siamese.dyndns.org> In-Reply-To: "W. Trevor King" writes: > By remaining agnostic on the variable usage, this patch makes > submodule setup more convenient for all parties. I personally do not think "remaining agnostic on the usage" is a good thing, at least for any option to commands at the higher level on the stack, such as "git submodule". I am afraid that giving an easier way to set up a variable with undefined semantics may make setup more confusing for all parties. One party gives one specific meaning to the field, while another party uses it for something slightly different. I would not object to "git config submodule.$name.branch $value", on the other hand. "git config" can be used to set a piece of data that has specific meaning, but as a low-level tool, it is not _limited_ to variables that have defined meaning.