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diff --git a/Documentation/howto/using-merge-subtree.txt b/Documentation/howto/using-merge-subtree.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..1ae8d1214e --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/howto/using-merge-subtree.txt @@ -0,0 +1,75 @@ +Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 20:17:40 -0500 +From: Sean <seanlkml@sympatico.ca> +To: Miklos Vajna <vmiklos@frugalware.org> +Cc: git@vger.kernel.org +Subject: how to use git merge -s subtree? +Abstract: In this article, Sean demonstrates how one can use the subtree merge + strategy. +Content-type: text/asciidoc +Message-ID: <BAYC1-PASMTP12374B54BA370A1E1C6E78AE4E0@CEZ.ICE> + +How to use the subtree merge strategy +===================================== + +There are situations where you want to include contents in your project +from an independently developed project. You can just pull from the +other project as long as there are no conflicting paths. + +The problematic case is when there are conflicting files. Potential +candidates are Makefiles and other standard filenames. You could merge +these files but probably you do not want to. A better solution for this +problem can be to merge the project as its own subdirectory. This is not +supported by the 'recursive' merge strategy, so just pulling won't work. + +What you want is the 'subtree' merge strategy, which helps you in such a +situation. + +In this example, let's say you have the repository at `/path/to/B` (but +it can be a URL as well, if you want). You want to merge the 'master' +branch of that repository to the `dir-B` subdirectory in your current +branch. + +Here is the command sequence you need: + +---------------- +$ git remote add -f Bproject /path/to/B <1> +$ git merge -s ours --no-commit Bproject/master <2> +$ git read-tree --prefix=dir-B/ -u Bproject/master <3> +$ git commit -m "Merge B project as our subdirectory" <4> + +$ git pull -s subtree Bproject master <5> +---------------- +<1> name the other project "Bproject", and fetch. +<2> prepare for the later step to record the result as a merge. +<3> read "master" branch of Bproject to the subdirectory "dir-B". +<4> record the merge result. +<5> maintain the result with subsequent merges using "subtree" + +The first four commands are used for the initial merge, while the last +one is to merge updates from 'B project'. + +Comparing 'subtree' merge with submodules +----------------------------------------- + +- The benefit of using subtree merge is that it requires less + administrative burden from the users of your repository. It works with + older (before Git v1.5.2) clients and you have the code right after + clone. + +- However if you use submodules then you can choose not to transfer the + submodule objects. This may be a problem with the subtree merge. + +- Also, in case you make changes to the other project, it is easier to + submit changes if you just use submodules. + +Additional tips +--------------- + +- If you made changes to the other project in your repository, they may + want to merge from your project. This is possible using subtree -- it + can shift up the paths in your tree and then they can merge only the + relevant parts of your tree. + +- Please note that if the other project merges from you, then it will + connect its history to yours, which can be something they don't want + to. |