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#pragma section-numbers 2
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{X} This page describes a proposal that was rejected for core Mercurial. However, it may be implemented as a third party extension. = Mutable Branches =
''Author: Gideon Sireling
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= Branch Renaming = Repository: http://code.accursoft.com/mutable-branches/
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A recurring compliant against [[NamedBranches|named branches]] is that the name is permanent. This page describes a backward-compatible proposal to separate a branch's identity from its name. Issue tracker: http://code.accursoft.com/mutable-branches/issues''
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<<TableOfContents>> == Overview ==
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== Visioning Branch Names == The mutable-branches extension allows [[NamedBranches|named branches]] to be renamed, without rewriting history. Renamings are tracked by a file in the working directory.
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An .hgbranches file in the working directory will keep a mapping of branch IDs to their names. When a new branch is created, the changeset's branch field will be set to a unique ID. An entry will then be made in .hgbranches, mapping the branch's ID to its name. == Installation ==
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This is all done behind the scenes, and could be implemented an an extension. There are no changes to Mercurial's UI. Clone the repository to your local hard drive, or simply download [[http://code.accursoft.com/mutable-branches/raw/tip/mutable-branches.py|mutable-branches.py]]. Then add the following to your mercurial.ini:
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== Conflicts == {{{
[extensions]
mutable-branches = path/to/mutable-branches.py
}}}
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If conflicting changes have been made to .hgbranches on different branches, or if it contains conflicting entries, this will be resolved by the same rules that apply to .hgtags. == Renaming Branches ==

To start renaming branches, create a file called `.hgbranches` in the root of the working directory, and check it in. Each line in `.hgbranches` consists of a space-delimited pair such as `oldBranch newBranch`. If the branch name contains spaces, it should be quoted.

There are no changes to Mercurial's UI, other than not scolding the user when they create a new branch.
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If the user creates a local branch which they do not intend pushing, it can be recorded in .hg/localbranches. Mercurial should warn the user if they attempt to push a changeset whose branch name is recorded in localbranches, and tell them how to move it to .hgbranches. If the user creates a local branch which they do not intend pushing, it can be recorded in `.hg/localbranches`. Local renamings override repository renamings.
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== Backwards Compatibility == == Future Development ==
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If a branch ID is not recorded in .hgbranches or .hg/localbranches, the ID will be used as the branch name. Thus, existing branches can be used (and renamed) without any modifications. If the branch is renamed, older clients will continue to use the old name.

== Forwards Compatibility ==

Future development could add other fields to .hgbranches, such as description or owner.

== hg-ibranch ==

The [[http://bitbucket.org/andre_felipe_dias/hg-ibranch|hg-ibranch]] extension implements a similar concept, but uses tip markers instead of .hgbranches.
Other fields could be added to `.hgbranches`, such as the branch's description or owner.
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CategoryRejectedProposal CategoryExtensionsByOthers

Mutable Branches

Author: Gideon Sireling

Repository: http://code.accursoft.com/mutable-branches/

Issue tracker: http://code.accursoft.com/mutable-branches/issues

1. Overview

The mutable-branches extension allows named branches to be renamed, without rewriting history. Renamings are tracked by a file in the working directory.

2. Installation

Clone the repository to your local hard drive, or simply download mutable-branches.py. Then add the following to your mercurial.ini:

[extensions]
mutable-branches = path/to/mutable-branches.py

3. Renaming Branches

To start renaming branches, create a file called .hgbranches in the root of the working directory, and check it in. Each line in .hgbranches consists of a space-delimited pair such as oldBranch newBranch. If the branch name contains spaces, it should be quoted.

There are no changes to Mercurial's UI, other than not scolding the user when they create a new branch.

4. Local Branches

If the user creates a local branch which they do not intend pushing, it can be recorded in .hg/localbranches. Local renamings override repository renamings.

5. Future Development

Other fields could be added to .hgbranches, such as the branch's description or owner.


CategoryExtensionsByOthers

MutableBranches (last edited 2019-08-22 10:56:57 by gidyn)