[RFC] Default options

Reading the exchange about new options to e.g.
git gc and git pack-objects over the last few days,
a pattern seemed to emerge.  A new option would be
proposed,  but then we didn't always want to type it,
so a corresponding config variable would be added as well.

I notice git supports "alias.*" config variables.
Would it be useful to also support "options.*" variables?
When you type
    git gc <args>
this is interpreted as
    git gc $(git config options.gc) <args>
so anything in options.gc could be overridden
by later appearing on the command line.
The names might have dashes:
pack-objects would use options.pack-objects .

If a command is recognized using alias.*,
options.* would not be consulted (to keep things simple).
In other words, options.* only work for built-ins.
options.* would interpret quoting etc in its
value the same way alias.* does.

Thus,  you can add a new --option to a program,
and get a corresponding config variable automatically,
and without cluttering up the documentation.

I've not yet looked at the git driver code.
Is there any interest in this feature?

Thanks,
-- 
Dana L. How  danahow@gmail.com  +1 650 804 5991 cell

Hi,

On Wed, 9 May 2007, Dana How wrote:

I notice git supports "alias.*" config variables.
Would it be useful to also support "options.*" variables?

I would not do it, for the same reason we do not allow to override 
builtins via aliases: it breaks scripts.

Ciao,
Dscho