Re: [PATCH v4] Introduce %<branch> as shortcut to the tracked branch

Hi,

On Fri, 20 Mar 2009, Junio C Hamano wrote:

Johannes Schindelin [off-list ref] writes:

quoted

Often, it is quite interesting to inspect the branch tracked by a given
branch.  This patch introduces a nice notation to get at the tracked
branch: '%<branch>' can be used to access that tracked branch.

A special shortcut '%' refers to the branch tracked by the current branch.

Suggested by Pasky.

Even if a branch name can legally start with a '%' sign, we can use the
special character '%' here, as you can always specify the full ref:
refs/heads/%my-branch (pointed out by doener on IRC).

That is not a good argument, as %<name> is (just like name@{-n} is) a
substitute way to spell the "name" of a branch, not just a random SHA-1,
and to some commands it makes a difference between <branchname> and
refs/heads/<branchname>.  The latter is not giving the name of the branch,
but merely a commit object name.

An most obvious one is that "git checkout branchname" and "git checkout
refs/heads/branchname" behave differently.  You cannot checkout a branch
called %master after this patch goes in.

Just be honest and say "You may have a branch whose name begins with a '%'
and you cannot refer to it anymore in certain contexts.  Too bad.  Don't
do it next time you create a new branch".  I _can_ buy that argument.

Be that as it may, at this point I kick the ball back to the interested 
parties.  I did my duty.

Ciao,
Dscho