b9d6f64393
The zlib-ng library is a hard fork of the old and venerable zlib
library. It describes itself as zlib replacement with optimizations for
"next generation" systems. As such, it contains several implementations
of central algorithms using for example SSE2, AVX2 and other vectorized
CPU intrinsics that supposedly speed up in- and deflating data.
And indeed, compiling Git against zlib-ng leads to a significant speedup
when reading objects. The following benchmark uses git-cat-file(1) with
`--batch --batch-all-objects` in the Git repository:
Benchmark 1: zlib
Time (mean ± σ): 52.085 s ± 0.141 s [User: 51.500 s, System: 0.456 s]
Range (min … max): 52.004 s … 52.335 s 5 runs
Benchmark 2: zlib-ng
Time (mean ± σ): 40.324 s ± 0.134 s [User: 39.731 s, System: 0.490 s]
Range (min … max): 40.135 s … 40.484 s 5 runs
Summary
zlib-ng ran
1.29 ± 0.01 times faster than zlib
So we're looking at a ~25% speedup compared to zlib. This is of course
an extreme example, as it makes us read through all objects in the
repository. But regardless, it should be possible to see some sort of
speedup in most commands that end up accessing the object database.
The zlib-ng library provides a compatibility layer that makes it a
proper drop-in replacement for zlib: nothing needs to change in the
build system to support it. Unfortunately though, this mode isn't easy
to use on most systems because distributions do not allow you to install
zlib-ng in that way, as that would mean that the zlib library would be
globally replaced. Instead, many distributions provide a package that
installs zlib-ng without the compatibility layer. This version does
provide effectively the same APIs like zlib does, but all of the symbols
are prefixed with `zng_` to avoid symbol collisions.
Implement a new build option that allows us to link against zlib-ng
directly. If set, we redefine zlib symbols so that we use the `zng_`
prefixed versions thereof provided by that library. Like this, it
becomes possible to install both zlib and zlib-ng (without the compat
layer) and then pick whichever library one wants to link against for
Git.
Signed-off-by: Patrick Steinhardt <ps@pks.im>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
Git - fast, scalable, distributed revision control system
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.
Many Git online resources are accessible from https://git-scm.com/ including full documentation and Git related tools.
See Documentation/gittutorial.txt to get started, then see
Documentation/giteveryday.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).
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 and Documentation/CodingGuidelines).
Those wishing to help with error message, usage and informational message
string translations (localization l10) should see po/README.md
(a po file is a Portable Object file that holds the translations).
To subscribe to the list, send an email to git+subscribe@vger.kernel.org (see https://subspace.kernel.org/subscribing.html for details). The mailing list archives are available at https://lore.kernel.org/git/, https://marc.info/?l=git and other archival sites.
Issues which are security relevant should be disclosed privately to the Git Security mailing list git-security@googlegroups.com.
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.
The name "git" was given by Linus Torvalds when he wrote the very first version. He described the tool as "the stupid content tracker" and the name as (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