In order to clarify which value is used when there are multiple values defined for a key, re-order the list of file locations so that it runs from least specific to most specific. Then add a paragraph which simply says that the last value will be used. Signed-off-by: John Keeping <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> --- On Sun, Jul 07, 2013 at 10:31:38AM -0700, Junio C Hamano wrote: > John Keeping <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes: > > >> I wondered if we should explain the significance of "last" a bit > >> more (like "this results in the value from the most specific > >> configuration file to be used, the ones in $GIT_DIR/config > >> overriding what is in $HOME/.gitconfig"), but I do not have a strong > >> opinion either way. Let's queue this for 'maint' for now. > > > > I don't think that change belongs here. How about doing something like > > this in the FILES section (the first two hunks are just reordering the > > existing list, only the last hunk changes the content): > > Sounds like a good change to me ;-). So here it is as a proper patch :-) Documentation/git-config.txt | 20 ++++++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) diff --git a/Documentation/git-config.txt b/Documentation/git-config.txt index fbad05e..99dc497 100644 --- a/Documentation/git-config.txt +++ b/Documentation/git-config.txt @@ -206,12 +206,8 @@ FILES If not set explicitly with '--file', there are four files where 'git config' will search for configuration options: -$GIT_DIR/config:: - Repository specific configuration file. - -~/.gitconfig:: - User-specific configuration file. Also called "global" - configuration file. +$(prefix)/etc/gitconfig:: + System-wide configuration file. $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/git/config:: Second user-specific configuration file. If $XDG_CONFIG_HOME is not set @@ -221,8 +217,12 @@ $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/git/config:: you sometimes use older versions of Git, as support for this file was added fairly recently. -$(prefix)/etc/gitconfig:: - System-wide configuration file. +~/.gitconfig:: + User-specific configuration file. Also called "global" + configuration file. + +$GIT_DIR/config:: + Repository specific configuration file. If no further options are given, all reading options will read all of these files that are available. If the global or the system-wide configuration @@ -230,6 +230,10 @@ file are not available they will be ignored. If the repository configuration file is not available or readable, 'git config' will exit with a non-zero error code. However, in neither case will an error message be issued. +The files are read in the order given above, with last value found taking +precedence over values read earlier. When multiple values are taken then all +values of a key from all files will be used. + All writing options will per default write to the repository specific configuration file. Note that this also affects options like '--replace-all' and '--unset'. *'git config' will only ever change one file at a time*. -- 1.8.3.2.855.gbc9faed -- To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe git" in the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html