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

On 1/18/07, Junio C Hamano [off-list ref] wrote:

quoted

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.

quoted

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.