Re: Question about "branch.<name>.merge"

Josh Ralburton [off-list ref] writes:

This is a typical section from a .git config file:

[remote "origin"]
    fetch = +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*
    url = git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/git/git.git
[branch "master"]
    remote = origin
    merge = refs/heads/master

I am curious why "branch.master.merge=refs/heads/master"  was
implemented to refer to the remote branch (refs/heads/master) rather
than the local branch (refs/remotes/origin/master).

Because conceptually you are merging with the refs/heads/master branch
that exists at the "origin" repository, not merging with a remote tracking
branch that the "origin" repository may have to track its upstream.

It is immaterial that you happen to have a copy of it at your own remote
tracking branch (i.e. refs/remotes/origin/master).  If you don't need
tracking branches, you can even do something like this:

	[remote "origin"]
                url = git://...there
        [branch "master"]
		remote = origin
                merge = refs/heads/master

Notice that you are telling git not to create any remote tracking branches
with this configuration.