For SHA-256, we currently have support for OpenSSL and libgcrypt because these two libraries contain optimized implementations that can take advantage of native processor instructions. However, OpenSSL is not suitable for linking against for Linux distros due to licensing incompatibilities with the GPLv2, and libgcrypt has been less favored by cryptographers due to some security-related implementation issues, which, while not affecting our use of hash algorithms, has affected its reputation. Let's add another option that's compatible with the GPLv2, which is Nettle. This is an option which is generally better than libgcrypt because on many distros GnuTLS (which uses Nettle) is used for HTTPS and therefore as a practical matter it will be available on most systems. As a result, prefer it over libgcrypt and our built-in implementation. Nettle also has recently gained support for Intel's SHA-NI instructions, which compare very favorably to other implementations, as well as assembly implementations for when SHA-NI is not available. A git gc on git.git sees a 12% performance improvement with Nettle over our block SHA-256 implementation due to general assembly improvements. With SHA-NI, the performance of raw SHA-256 on a 2 GiB file goes from 7.296 seconds with block SHA-256 to 1.523 seconds with Nettle. Signed-off-by: brian m. carlson <sandals@crustytoothpaste.net> 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 with just "subscribe git" in the body to majordomo@vger.kernel.org (not the Git list). The mailing list archives are available at https://lore.kernel.org/git/, http://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