We at Git PLC [*1*] (who represents the project to our umbrella organization, Software Freedom Conservancy) drafted a statement on the subject matter with the Conservancy and it now is posted at the conservancy's site at [*2*]. A copy of it is attached at the end of this message. It is important that discussions and decisions about what changes we are going to make to the code happen on this list, just like any other changes. To that end, the patch series posted by Johannes Schindelin earlier this month [*3*] to allow users to give a name of their choice to the first branch "git init" creates and to configure the default for that purpose seems like an obviously good starting point. Hopefully the series can be polished and included in the 2.28 release. But it is just a starting point. We need to keep the discussion moving and reach a consensus on remaining issues, including - whether to change the default used as the name of the first branch created in a new repository away from 'master'? - if we were to change it, what should we change it to? There may be more things that need to be decided. Please be respectful to each other and keep the discussion constructive in the coming weeks. Thanks. [Footnotes] *1* The current members of Git PLC are: - Ævar Arnfjörð Bjarmason <avarab@xxxxxxxxx> - Christian Couder <christian.couder@xxxxxxxxx> - Jeff King <peff@xxxxxxxx> - Junio C Hamano <gitster@xxxxxxxxx> *2* https://sfconservancy.org/news/2020/jun/23/gitbranchname/ *3* https://lore.kernel.org/git/pull.656.git.1591823971.gitgitgadget@xxxxxxxxx/ -- >8 -- Existing versions of Git are capable of working with any branch name; there's nothing special about ‘master’ except that it has historically been the name used for the first branch when creating a new repository from scratch (with the git init command). Thus many projects use it to represent the primary line of development. We support and encourage projects to switch to branch names that are meaningful and inclusive, and we'll be adding features to Git to make it even easier to use a different default for new projects. As a first step, Git will add a mechanism to allow users to specify the default used as the name of the first branch when creating a new repository. Also, consistent with its project governance, Git has undertaken a community process to explore changing the name of the first branch created automatically for new repositories away from 'master'. That change is currently being discussed on our mailing list. As always, changes in Git's core will minimize disruption for Git's users and will include appropriate deprecation periods. Meanwhile, Git as a project remains engaged in encouraging participation of underrepresented groups in the development of Git itself. Git continues their participation, which began four years ago, in Conservancy's Outreachy initiative. Conservancy also continues to explore and support other initiatives that can also assist in this area.
