Re: [PATCH/POLL] git-format-patch: the default suffix is now .patch, not .txt

From: Alex Riesen <raa.lkml@gmail.com>
Date: Jan 18, 2007, 09:35 UTC
Message-ID: <81b0412b0701180135r505a75a5j172c70792d6569c0@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <7v64b4ohcj.fsf@assigned-by-dhcp.cox.net>

On 1/18/07, Junio C Hamano <junkio@cox.net> wrote:

Show 9 quoted lines

>
> > I'd like to see ".patch" there, but...
> >
> > I have to mention, though, that the majority of the editing
> > programs is used on that stupid thing called windows ...
>
> Even if majority of git target audience were on Windows, I
> thought majority of Windows users are on either VFAT or NTFS and
> not DOS 8.3 filesystems these days.

The filesystems are not 8.3, the programs are.

Show 11 quoted lines

> > Also, how many mail clients know that .patch is actually
> > a text and not application/binary? It'll make patch
> > reviewing harder for some (not sure if I'd like a review
> > of such a person, though).
>
> Is it common for popular MUAs to have a single command that lets
> you specify a file and depending on its suffix paste it inline
> or make it an attachment?  I had an impression that most have
> separate commands for "read text from file (as opposed to
> typing)" and "attach a file (of random type, not necessarily and
> more often than not text)".

No, they don't :) They only have "attach" and drag-drop (which does the same).

> The output of format-patch is not meant to be used as an
> attachment (it is "read text from file" kind), so I do not think
> your worry applies here.  Maybe something I am missing?

Yes, the experience being a damned corporate windows user in a novell netware network with 50-year old admin fixated on microsoft exchange, not to mention Outlook Express users...

I think we'd raising the entry barrier with choosing the defaults being so convenient for us. Well, the real-life programmers are less of Unix-liking kind. They are more lazy and demotivated kind, and Git will be _forced_ on them. It almost certainly will not be their choice. Not always, some'll like it (heck, I know people who swear by Perforce!), but most have a job, source of income, and not the profession (like in professional pride).

As much as like Unix and everything related, I think it is not reasonable to try to change the majority. Not unless we have something earth-shattering. Well, git is, but 0001-fix....patch in email attachment probably not.