Use git ref instead of branch for stgit log about stgit HOT 3 CLOSED

Sorry for this delayed response.

To clarify: the old metadata system uses files found under .git/patches. The new metadata system uses git objects in the .stgit branches. This is contrary to your guess above.

Regarding the idea of using a non-branch ref for the log (metadata), this is actually something I have been considering doing. The reason you site (clutter when using graphical log tools; gitk and even git log --graph --all also have this issue) is one of the reasons we might want to use a non-branch ref. Other reasons include:

• The .stgit branch can be considered "noise" when using git branch
• Checking-out a .stgit branch is always a mistake (unless doing stgit development) and thus best to help users avoid this mistake
• Individual patches already have refs found in .git/refs/patches/<branch>/.

The potential downsides of not keeping the metadata as a .stgit branch include:

• The presence of this branch may be used by StGit users to know that a branch has been initialized (i.e. with stg init)
• If we want to support distributed StGit metadata, i.e. pushing and pulling StGit stacks, it may be more intuitive to do this with regular git commands if the metadata is a regular branch.

I may be missing other pros/cons. My intent is to experiment with the usability of the metadata being located elsewhere. I was thinking either refs/stacks/<branch> or refs/stgit/<branch>.

from stgit.

I just read your answer in this issue: #24 (comment)
I have a feeling that the "old metadata system" refers to the .stgit branch, so waiting for your patch with stackformatversion 4 might solve my problems. If so, feel free to close this issue.

from stgit.

Much love for implementing this, thanks! ❤️

from stgit.