push: improve the error shown on unqualified <dst> push

Improve the error message added in f8aae12034 ("push: allow
unqualified dest refspecs to DWIM", 2008-04-23), which before this
change looks like this:

    $ git push avar v2.19.0^{commit}:newbranch -n
    error: unable to push to unqualified destination: newbranch
    The destination refspec neither matches an existing ref on the remote nor
    begins with refs/, and we are unable to guess a prefix based on the source ref.
    error: failed to push some refs to 'git@github.com:avar/git.git'

This message needed to be read very carefully to spot how to fix the
error, i.e. to push to refs/heads/newbranch. Now the message will look
like this instead:

    $ ./git-push avar v2.19.0^{commit}:newbranch -n
    error: The destination you provided is not a full refname (i.e.,
    starting with "refs/"). We tried to guess what you meant by:

    - Looking for a ref that matches 'newbranch' on the remote side.
    - Checking if the <src> being pushed ('v2.19.0^{commit}')
      is a ref in "refs/{heads,tags}/". If so we add a corresponding
      refs/{heads,tags}/ prefix on the remote side.

    Neither worked, so we gave up. You must fully qualify the ref.
    error: failed to push some refs to 'git@github.com:avar/git.git'

This improvement is the result of on-list discussion in [1] and [2],
as well as my own fixes / reformatting / phrasing on top.

The suggestion by Jeff on-list was to make that second bullet point
"Looking at the refname of the local source.". The version being added
here is more verbose, but also more accurate. saying "local source"
could refer to any ref in the local refstore, including something in
refs/remotes/*. A later change will teach guess_ref() to infer a ref
type from remote-tracking refs, so let's not confuse the two.

While I'm at it, add a "TRANSLATORS" comment since the message has
gotten more complex and it's not as clear what the two %s's refer to.

1. https://public-inbox.org/git/20181010205505.GB12949@sigill.intra.peff.net/
2. https://public-inbox.org/git/xmqqbm81lb7c.fsf@gitster-ct.c.googlers.com/

Signed-off-by: Ævar Arnfjörð Bjarmason <avarab@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
1 file changed
tree: 1f6866331a4780a3862de51b85e98611c0adf071
  1. .github/
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  160. git-compat-util.h
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  178. git-rebase--merge.sh
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  180. git-remote-testgit.sh
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  182. git-send-email.perl
  183. git-sh-i18n.sh
  184. git-sh-setup.sh
  185. git-stash.sh
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  267. notes-utils.c
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  271. object-store.h
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  274. oidmap.c
  275. oidmap.h
  276. oidset.c
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  280. pack-bitmap.h
  281. pack-check.c
  282. pack-objects.c
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  284. pack-revindex.c
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  286. pack-write.c
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  290. pager.c
  291. parse-options-cb.c
  292. parse-options.c
  293. parse-options.h
  294. patch-delta.c
  295. patch-ids.c
  296. patch-ids.h
  297. path.c
  298. path.h
  299. pathspec.c
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  305. pretty.h
  306. prio-queue.c
  307. prio-queue.h
  308. progress.c
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  310. prompt.c
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  312. protocol.c
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  314. quote.c
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  316. range-diff.c
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  318. reachable.c
  319. reachable.h
  320. read-cache.c
  321. README.md
  322. rebase-interactive.c
  323. rebase-interactive.h
  324. ref-filter.c
  325. ref-filter.h
  326. reflog-walk.c
  327. reflog-walk.h
  328. refs.c
  329. refs.h
  330. refspec.c
  331. refspec.h
  332. remote-curl.c
  333. remote-testsvn.c
  334. remote.c
  335. remote.h
  336. replace-object.c
  337. replace-object.h
  338. repository.c
  339. repository.h
  340. rerere.c
  341. rerere.h
  342. resolve-undo.c
  343. resolve-undo.h
  344. revision.c
  345. revision.h
  346. run-command.c
  347. run-command.h
  348. send-pack.c
  349. send-pack.h
  350. sequencer.c
  351. sequencer.h
  352. serve.c
  353. serve.h
  354. server-info.c
  355. setup.c
  356. sh-i18n--envsubst.c
  357. sha1-array.c
  358. sha1-array.h
  359. sha1-file.c
  360. sha1-lookup.c
  361. sha1-lookup.h
  362. sha1-name.c
  363. sha1dc_git.c
  364. sha1dc_git.h
  365. shallow.c
  366. shell.c
  367. shortlog.h
  368. sideband.c
  369. sideband.h
  370. sigchain.c
  371. sigchain.h
  372. split-index.c
  373. split-index.h
  374. strbuf.c
  375. strbuf.h
  376. streaming.c
  377. streaming.h
  378. string-list.c
  379. string-list.h
  380. sub-process.c
  381. sub-process.h
  382. submodule-config.c
  383. submodule-config.h
  384. submodule.c
  385. submodule.h
  386. symlinks.c
  387. tag.c
  388. tag.h
  389. tar.h
  390. tempfile.c
  391. tempfile.h
  392. thread-utils.c
  393. thread-utils.h
  394. tmp-objdir.c
  395. tmp-objdir.h
  396. trace.c
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  398. trailer.c
  399. trailer.h
  400. transport-helper.c
  401. transport-internal.h
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  403. transport.h
  404. tree-diff.c
  405. tree-walk.c
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  407. tree.c
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  409. unicode-width.h
  410. unimplemented.sh
  411. unix-socket.c
  412. unix-socket.h
  413. unpack-trees.c
  414. unpack-trees.h
  415. upload-pack.c
  416. upload-pack.h
  417. url.c
  418. url.h
  419. urlmatch.c
  420. urlmatch.h
  421. usage.c
  422. userdiff.c
  423. userdiff.h
  424. utf8.c
  425. utf8.h
  426. varint.c
  427. varint.h
  428. version.c
  429. version.h
  430. versioncmp.c
  431. walker.c
  432. walker.h
  433. wildmatch.c
  434. wildmatch.h
  435. worktree.c
  436. worktree.h
  437. wrap-for-bin.sh
  438. wrapper.c
  439. write-or-die.c
  440. ws.c
  441. wt-status.c
  442. wt-status.h
  443. xdiff-interface.c
  444. xdiff-interface.h
  445. zlib.c
README.md

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.

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