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Re: [PATCH v3] doc: clarify --follow and log.follow for git log

From
Tamir Duberstein <tamird@gmail.com>
Date
May 11, 2026, 00:32 UTC
Message-ID
<CAJ-ks9krzLO_+O74omAfeVByUBh=rDGSVSarf5PGwkdWepzubw@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To
<xmqqv7cux0q7.fsf@gitster.g>
On Sun, May 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com> wrote:
Show 20 quoted lines
>
> Tamir Duberstein <tamird@gmail.com> writes:
>
> > I observed this "undefined" behavior, which is why I started working
> > on this patch. I think it is not reasonable to deal with undefined
> > behavior by pretending it doesn't exist. The documentation should
> > acknowledge and explain what happens when this option is used for all
> > ways that it can be used.
>
> No, you are misguided.
>
> Undefined behaviour can change without notice, and users should be
> strongly discouraged from using it.  Describing what the current
> implementation happens to do moves us exactly in the opposite
> direction.
>
> `--follow` is a checkbox feature. You can use it "only with a single
> filename on a linear history" or all bets are off otherwise.
>
> That is what we should describe if we want to be honest.
At the very least the documentation should state this...?
Previous: Junio C HamanoNext: Junio C Hamano
Message 11 of 18 in “doc: git-log: document --no-follow”
  1. doc: git-log: document --no-followTamir Duberstein, May 7, 2026
  2. doc: git-log: clarify --follow optionsTamir Duberstein, May 7, 2026
  3. Junio C HamanoMay 10, 2026
  4. Tamir DubersteinMay 10, 2026
  5. Junio C HamanoMay 10, 2026
  6. Tamir DubersteinMay 10, 2026
  7. doc: clarify --follow and log.follow for git logTamir Duberstein, May 10, 2026
  8. Junio C HamanoMay 10, 2026
  9. Tamir DubersteinMay 11, 2026
  10. Junio C HamanoMay 11, 2026
  11. Tamir DubersteinMay 11, 2026
  12. Junio C HamanoMay 11, 2026
  13. Tamir DubersteinMay 11, 2026
  14. Junio C HamanoMay 11, 2026
  15. doc: clarify --follow and log.follow for git logTamir Duberstein, Jun 25, 2026
  16. Junio C HamanoJun 25, 2026
  17. doc: clarify --follow's single-file limitationTamir Duberstein, Sep 26, 2026
  18. Marat KhaliliSep 28, 2026

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