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

Alex Riesen wrote:

On 1/18/07, Josh Boyer [off-list ref] wrote:

quoted

quoted

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.

I would venture to say that the _majority_ of git users are not using
Windows.

The _real_ majority of the programmers desperately need a better
VCS than CVS, SVN, Perforce, SourceSafe, ClearCase, etc.

They're free to use git ofcourse, provided they install cygwin or help 
migrate it to run natively on windows. I don't think anyone would cry if 
a competent cross-platform programmer stepped up and started submitting 
patches to get git working on windows without having to resort to the 
cygwin emulation layer.

The thing is, no-one's getting paid for it, so until someone *does* step 
up, it won't happen, as 95% of the *current* git users are still running 
what we on this list will indefinitely refer to as "a sane OS".

quoted

In this enviroment, Linux is likely the dominant OS,
followed by other *nix.  So changing the extention to benefit the
majorit of _git's_ users is a good thing.

Yes. For me and you. One of my coworkers knows nothing about patches,
but wants (and perfectly able to) review my code. He has usable brains
and is able to figure out what "+" and "-" is (he has, by now). He hasn't
even realized that it was an automatically generated information, as
I sent a patch to him first time, thought it was just a funny way to
document changes (and was surprised when I told him a patch can be
applied automatically, even if the original file is not exactly the same).
But he is a typical windows-trained programmer. Lazy, unmotivated and
happily married. He does programming by accident (was smart enough
to learn the basics of the trade). Why would he want to take the an
extra step of figuring out what that strange "0001-...patch" means?
Now, I know him, would never think about sending him a real patch.
I'm kinda grown and tired, and need the bastard, too. Someone younger
will just call him idiot and "improve" the situation by telling him about
"stupid windows" and "he should the right ways". Just to be answered
"it worked for some millions programmers before you" and "I told your
manager you making problems and are hard to communicate with".

People often understand "funny ways" the others may have. They
don't like been told they are wrong or stupid (especially when they
actually are stupid).

I still don't see the problem. When he understands (and uses) git, the 
name and look of the patch will become blindingly clear to him, and then 
it doesn't matter if it's called .txt or .patch. He might even have some 
tool by then that displays patches color-coded and what-not (there are a 
plethora of such tools for Windows already, most of which register 
.patch and .diff as file-types they handle).

Otoh, *until* he uses git, the change doesn't affect him, so why bother 
catering for his needs?

-- 
Andreas Ericsson                   andreas.ericsson@op5.se
OP5 AB                             www.op5.se
Tel: +46 8-230225                  Fax: +46 8-230231