The return value of write_in_full() is either "-1", or the
requested number of bytes[1]. If we make a partial write
before seeing an error, we still return -1, not a partial
value. This goes back to f6aa66cb95 (write_in_full: really
write in full or return error on disk full., 2007-01-11).
So checking anything except "was the return value negative"
is pointless. And there are a couple of reasons not to do
so:
1. It can do a funny signed/unsigned comparison. If your
"len" is signed (e.g., a size_t) then the compiler will
promote the "-1" to its unsigned variant.
This works out for "!= len" (unless you really were
trying to write the maximum size_t bytes), but is a
bug if you check "< len" (an example of which was fixed
recently in config.c).
We should avoid promoting the mental model that you
need to check the length at all, so that new sites are
not tempted to copy us.
2. Checking for a negative value is shorter to type,
especially when the length is an expression.
3. Linus says so. In d34cf19b89 (Clean up write_in_full()
users, 2007-01-11), right after the write_in_full()
semantics were changed, he wrote:
I really wish every "write_in_full()" user would just
check against "<0" now, but this fixes the nasty and
stupid ones.
Appeals to authority aside, this makes it clear that
writing it this way does not have an intentional
benefit. It's a historical curiosity that we never
bothered to clean up (and which was undoubtedly
cargo-culted into new sites).
So let's convert these obviously-correct cases (this
includes write_str_in_full(), which is just a wrapper for
write_in_full()).
[1] A careful reader may notice there is one way that
write_in_full() can return a different value. If we ask
write() to write N bytes and get a return value that is
_larger_ than N, we could return a larger total. But
besides the fact that this would imply a totally broken
version of write(), it would already invoke undefined
behavior. Our internal remaining counter is an unsigned
size_t, which means that subtracting too many byte will
wrap it around to a very large number. So we'll instantly
begin reading off the end of the buffer, trying to write
gigabytes (or petabytes) of data.
Signed-off-by: Jeff King <peff@peff.net>
Reviewed-by: Jonathan Nieder <jrnieder@gmail.com>
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-.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). 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 https://public-inbox.org/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.
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