7c801fbc74
git-cherry(1)'s "description" section has never really managed to explain to me what the command does. It contains too much explanation of the algorithm instead of simply saying what goals it achieves, and too much terminology that we otherwise do not use (fork-point instead of merge-base). Try a much more concise approach: state what it finds out, why this is neat, and how the output is formatted, in a few short paragraphs. In return, provide much longer examples of how it fits into a "format-patch | am" based workflow, and how it compares to reading the same from git-log. Also carefully avoid using "merge" in a context where it does not mean something that comes from git-merge(1). Instead, say "apply" in an attempt to further link to patch workflow concepts. While there, also omit the language about _which_ upstream branch we treat as the default. I literally just learned that we support having several, so let's not confuse new users here, especially considering that git-config(1) does not document this. Prompted-by: a.huemer@commend.com on #git Signed-off-by: Thomas Rast <tr@thomasrast.ch> Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
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Git - the stupid content tracker
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"git" can mean anything, depending on your mood.
- random three-letter combination that is pronounceable, and not
actually used by any common UNIX command. The fact that it is a
mispronunciation of "get" may or may not be relevant.
- stupid. contemptible and despicable. simple. Take your pick from the
dictionary of slang.
- "global information tracker": you're in a good mood, and it actually
works for you. Angels sing, and a light suddenly fills the room.
- "goddamn idiotic truckload of sh*t": when it breaks
Git is a fast, scalable, distributed revision control system with an
unusually rich command set that provides both high-level operations
and full access to internals.
Git is an Open Source project covered by the GNU General Public
License version 2 (some parts of it are under different licenses,
compatible with the GPLv2). It was originally written by Linus
Torvalds with help of a group of hackers around the net.
Please read the file INSTALL for installation instructions.
See Documentation/gittutorial.txt to get started, then see
Documentation/everyday.txt for a useful minimum set of commands, and
Documentation/git-commandname.txt for documentation of each command.
If git has been correctly installed, then the tutorial can also be
read with "man gittutorial" or "git help tutorial", and the
documentation of each command with "man git-commandname" or "git help
commandname".
CVS users may also want to read Documentation/gitcvs-migration.txt
("man gitcvs-migration" or "git help cvs-migration" if git is
installed).
Many Git online resources are accessible from http://git-scm.com/
including full documentation and Git related tools.
The user discussion and development of Git take place on the Git
mailing list -- everyone is welcome to post bug reports, feature
requests, comments and patches to git@vger.kernel.org (read
Documentation/SubmittingPatches for instructions on patch submission).
To subscribe to the list, send an email with just "subscribe git" in
the body to majordomo@vger.kernel.org. The mailing list archives are
available at http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/,
http://marc.info/?l=git and other archival sites.
The maintainer frequently sends the "What's cooking" reports that
list the current status of various development topics to the mailing
list. The discussion following them give a good reference for
project status, development direction and remaining tasks.