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1 Mercurial Frequently Asked Questions
1 Mercurial Frequently Asked Questions
2 ====================================
2 ====================================
3
3
4 Section 1: General Usage
4 Section 1: General Usage
5 ------------------------
5 ------------------------
6
6
7 .Q. I did an "hg pull" and my working directory is empty!
7 .Q. I did an "hg pull" and my working directory is empty!
8
8
9 There are two parts to Mercurial: the repository and the working
9 There are two parts to Mercurial: the repository and the working
10 directory. "hg pull" pulls all new changes from a remote repository
10 directory. "hg pull" pulls all new changes from a remote repository
11 into the local one but doesn't alter the working directory.
11 into the local one but doesn't alter the working directory.
12
12
13 This keeps you from upsetting your work in progress, which may not be
13 This keeps you from upsetting your work in progress, which may not be
14 ready to merge with the new changes you've pulled and also allows you
14 ready to merge with the new changes you've pulled and also allows you
15 to manage merging more easily (see below about best practices).
15 to manage merging more easily (see below about best practices).
16
16
17 To update your working directory, run "hg update". If you're sure you
17 To update your working directory, run "hg update". If you're sure you
18 want to update your working directory on a pull, you can also use "hg
18 want to update your working directory on a pull, you can also use "hg
19 pull -u". This will refuse to merge or overwrite local changes.
19 pull -u". This will refuse to merge or overwrite local changes.
20
20
21
21
22 .Q. What are revision numbers, changeset IDs, and tags?
22 .Q. What are revision numbers, changeset IDs, and tags?
23
23
24 Mercurial will generally allow you to refer to a revision in three
24 Mercurial will generally allow you to refer to a revision in three
25 ways: by revision number, by changeset ID, and by tag.
25 ways: by revision number, by changeset ID, and by tag.
26
26
27 A revision number is a simple decimal number that corresponds with the
27 A revision number is a simple decimal number that corresponds with the
28 ordering of commits in the local repository. It is important to
28 ordering of commits in the local repository. It is important to
29 understand that this ordering can change from machine to machine due
29 understand that this ordering can change from machine to machine due
30 to Mercurial's distributed, decentralized architecture.
30 to Mercurial's distributed, decentralized architecture.
31
31
32 This is where changeset IDs come in. A changeset ID is a 160-bit
32 This is where changeset IDs come in. A changeset ID is a 160-bit
33 identifier that uniquely describes a changeset and its position in the
33 identifier that uniquely describes a changeset and its position in the
34 change history, regardless of which machine it's on. This is
34 change history, regardless of which machine it's on. This is
35 represented to the user as a 40 digit hexadecimal number. As that
35 represented to the user as a 40 digit hexadecimal number. As that
36 tends to be unwieldy, Mercurial will accept any unambiguous substring
36 tends to be unwieldy, Mercurial will accept any unambiguous substring
37 of that number when specifying versions. It will also generally print
37 of that number when specifying versions. It will also generally print
38 these numbers in "short form", which is the first 12 digits.
38 these numbers in "short form", which is the first 12 digits.
39
39
40 You should always use some form of changeset ID rather than the local
40 You should always use some form of changeset ID rather than the local
41 revision number when discussing revisions with other Mercurial users
41 revision number when discussing revisions with other Mercurial users
42 as they may have different revision numbering on their system.
42 as they may have different revision numbering on their system.
43
43
44 Finally, a tag is an arbitrary string that has been assigned a
44 Finally, a tag is an arbitrary string that has been assigned a
45 correspondence to a changeset ID. This lets you refer to revisions
45 correspondence to a changeset ID. This lets you refer to revisions
46 symbolically.
46 symbolically.
47
47
48
48
49 .Q. What are branches, heads, and the tip?
49 .Q. What are branches, heads, and the tip?
50
50
51 The central concept of Mercurial is branching. A 'branch' is simply
51 The central concept of Mercurial is branching. A 'branch' is simply
52 an independent line of development. In most other version control
52 an independent line of development. In most other version control
53 systems, all users generally commit to the same line of development
53 systems, all users generally commit to the same line of development
54 called 'the trunk' or 'the main branch'. In Mercurial, every developer
54 called 'the trunk' or 'the main branch'. In Mercurial, every developer
55 effectively works on a private branch and there is no internal concept
55 effectively works on a private branch and there is no internal concept
56 of 'the main branch'.
56 of 'the main branch'.
57
57
58 Thus Mercurial works hard to make repeated merging between branches
58 Thus Mercurial works hard to make repeated merging between branches
59 easy. Simply run "hg pull" and "hg update -m" and commit the result.
59 easy. Simply run "hg pull" and "hg update -m" and commit the result.
60
60
61 'Heads' are simply the most recent commits on a branch. Technically,
61 'Heads' are simply the most recent commits on a branch. Technically,
62 they are changesets which have no children. Merging is the process of
62 they are changesets which have no children. Merging is the process of
63 joining points on two branches into one, usually at their current
63 joining points on two branches into one, usually at their current
64 heads. Use "hg heads" to find the heads in the current repository.
64 heads. Use "hg heads" to find the heads in the current repository.
65
65
66 The 'tip' is the most recently changed head, and also the highest
66 The 'tip' is the most recently changed head, and also the highest
67 numbered revision. If you have just made a commit, that commit will be
67 numbered revision. If you have just made a commit, that commit will be
68 the head. Alternately, if you have just pulled from another
68 the tip. Alternately, if you have just pulled from another
69 repository, the tip of that repository becomes the current tip.
69 repository, the tip of that repository becomes the current tip.
70
70
71 The 'tip' is the default revision for many commands such as update,
71 The 'tip' is the default revision for many commands such as update,
72 and also functions as a special symbolic tag.
72 and also functions as a special symbolic tag.
73
73
74
74
75 .Q. How does merging work?
75 .Q. How does merging work?
76
76
77 The merge process is simple. Usually you will want to merge the tip
77 The merge process is simple. Usually you will want to merge the tip
78 into your working directory. Thus you run "hg update -m" and Mercurial
78 into your working directory. Thus you run "hg update -m" and Mercurial
79 will incorporate the changes from tip into your local changes.
79 will incorporate the changes from tip into your local changes.
80
80
81 The first step of this process is tracing back through the history of
81 The first step of this process is tracing back through the history of
82 changesets and finding the 'common ancestor' of the two versions that
82 changesets and finding the 'common ancestor' of the two versions that
83 are being merged. This is done on a project-wide and a file by file
83 are being merged. This is done on a project-wide and a file by file
84 basis.
84 basis.
85
85
86 For files that have been changed in both projects, a three-way merge
86 For files that have been changed in both projects, a three-way merge
87 is attempted to add the changes made remotely into the changes made
87 is attempted to add the changes made remotely into the changes made
88 locally. If there are conflicts between these changes, the user is
88 locally. If there are conflicts between these changes, the user is
89 prompted to interactively resolve them.
89 prompted to interactively resolve them.
90
90
91 Mercurial uses a helper tool for this, which is usually found by the
91 Mercurial uses a helper tool for this, which is usually found by the
92 hgmerge script. Example tools include tkdiff, kdiff3, and the classic
92 hgmerge script. Example tools include tkdiff, kdiff3, and the classic
93 RCS merge.
93 RCS merge.
94
94
95 After you've completed the merge and you're satisfied that the results
95 After you've completed the merge and you're satisfied that the results
96 are correct, it's a good idea to commit your changes. Mercurial won't
96 are correct, it's a good idea to commit your changes. Mercurial won't
97 allow you to perform another merge until you've done this commit as
97 allow you to perform another merge until you've done this commit as
98 that would lose important history that will be needed for future
98 that would lose important history that will be needed for future
99 merges.
99 merges.
100
100
101
101
102 .Q. How do tags work in Mercurial?
102 .Q. How do tags work in Mercurial?
103
103
104 Tags work slightly differently in Mercurial than most revision
104 Tags work slightly differently in Mercurial than most revision
105 systems. The design attempts to meet the following requirements:
105 systems. The design attempts to meet the following requirements:
106
106
107 - be version controlled and mergeable just like any other file
107 - be version controlled and mergeable just like any other file
108 - allow signing of tags
108 - allow signing of tags
109 - allow adding a tag to an already committed changeset
109 - allow adding a tag to an already committed changeset
110 - allow changing tags in the future
110 - allow changing tags in the future
111
111
112 Thus Mercurial stores tags as a file in the working dir. This file is
112 Thus Mercurial stores tags as a file in the working dir. This file is
113 called .hgtags and consists of a list of changeset IDs and their
113 called .hgtags and consists of a list of changeset IDs and their
114 corresponding tags. To add a tag to the system, simply add a line to
114 corresponding tags. To add a tag to the system, simply add a line to
115 this file and then commit it for it to take effect. The "hg tag"
115 this file and then commit it for it to take effect. The "hg tag"
116 command will do this for you and "hg tags" will show the currently
116 command will do this for you and "hg tags" will show the currently
117 effective tags.
117 effective tags.
118
118
119 Note that because tags refer to changeset IDs and the changeset ID is
119 Note that because tags refer to changeset IDs and the changeset ID is
120 effectively the sum of all the contents of the repository for that
120 effectively the sum of all the contents of the repository for that
121 change, it is impossible in Mercurial to simultaneously commit and add
121 change, it is impossible in Mercurial to simultaneously commit and add
122 a tag. Thus tagging a revision must be done as a second step.
122 a tag. Thus tagging a revision must be done as a second step.
123
123
124
124
125 .Q. What if I want to just keep local tags?
125 .Q. What if I want to just keep local tags?
126
126
127 You can use "hg tag" command with an option "-l" or "--local". This
127 You can use "hg tag" command with an option "-l" or "--local". This
128 will store the tag in the file .hg/localtags, which will not be
128 will store the tag in the file .hg/localtags, which will not be
129 distributed or versioned. The format of this file is identical to the
129 distributed or versioned. The format of this file is identical to the
130 one of .hgtags and the tags stored there are handled the same.
130 one of .hgtags and the tags stored there are handled the same.
131
131
132
132
133 .Q. How do tags work with multiple heads?
133 .Q. How do tags work with multiple heads?
134
134
135 The tags that are in effect at any given time are the tags specified
135 The tags that are in effect at any given time are the tags specified
136 in each head, with heads closer to the tip taking precedence. Local
136 in each head, with heads closer to the tip taking precedence. Local
137 tags override all other tags.
137 tags override all other tags.
138
138
139
139
140 .Q. What are some best practices for distributed development with Mercurial?
140 .Q. What are some best practices for distributed development with Mercurial?
141
141
142 First, merge often! This makes merging easier for everyone and you
142 First, merge often! This makes merging easier for everyone and you
143 find out about conflicts (which are often rooted in incompatible
143 find out about conflicts (which are often rooted in incompatible
144 design decisions) earlier.
144 design decisions) earlier.
145
145
146 Second, don't hesitate to use multiple trees locally. Mercurial makes
146 Second, don't hesitate to use multiple trees locally. Mercurial makes
147 this fast and light-weight. Typical usage is to have an incoming tree,
147 this fast and light-weight. Typical usage is to have an incoming tree,
148 an outgoing tree, and a separate tree for each area being worked on.
148 an outgoing tree, and a separate tree for each area being worked on.
149
149
150 The incoming tree is best maintained as a pristine copy of the
150 The incoming tree is best maintained as a pristine copy of the
151 upstream repository. This works as a cache so that you don't have to
151 upstream repository. This works as a cache so that you don't have to
152 pull multiple copies over the network. No need to check files out here
152 pull multiple copies over the network. No need to check files out here
153 as you won't be changing them.
153 as you won't be changing them.
154
154
155 The outgoing tree contains all the changes you intend for merger into
155 The outgoing tree contains all the changes you intend for merge into
156 upsteam. Publish this tree with 'hg serve" or hgweb.cgi or use 'hg
156 upsteam. Publish this tree with 'hg serve" or hgweb.cgi or use 'hg
157 push" to push it to another publicly availabe repository.
157 push" to push it to another publicly availabe repository.
158
158
159 Then, for each feature you work on, create a new tree. Commit early
159 Then, for each feature you work on, create a new tree. Commit early
160 and commit often, merge with incoming regularly, and once you're
160 and commit often, merge with incoming regularly, and once you're
161 satisfied with your feature, pull the changes into your outgoing tree.
161 satisfied with your feature, pull the changes into your outgoing tree.
162
162
163
163
164 .Q. How do I import from a repository created in a different SCM?
164 .Q. How do I import from a repository created in a different SCM?
165
165
166 Take a look at contrib/convert-repo. This is an extensible
166 Take a look at contrib/convert-repo. This is an extensible
167 framework for converting between repository types.
167 framework for converting between repository types.
168
168
169
169
170 .Q. What about Windows support?
170 .Q. What about Windows support?
171
171
172 Patches to support Windows are being actively integrated, a fully
172 Patches to support Windows are being actively integrated, a fully
173 working Windows version is probably not far off
173 working Windows version is probably not far off
174
174
175
175
176 Section 2: Bugs and Features
176 Section 2: Bugs and Features
177 ----------------------------
177 ----------------------------
178
178
179 .Q. I found a bug, what do I do?
179 .Q. I found a bug, what do I do?
180
180
181 Report it to the mercurial mailing list, mercurial@selenic.com.
181 Report it to the mercurial mailing list, mercurial@selenic.com.
182
182
183
183
184 .Q. What should I include in my bug report?
184 .Q. What should I include in my bug report?
185
185
186 Enough information to reproduce or diagnose the bug. If you can, try
186 Enough information to reproduce or diagnose the bug. If you can, try
187 using the hg -v and hg -d switches to figure out exactly what
187 using the hg -v and hg -d switches to figure out exactly what
188 Mercurial is doing.
188 Mercurial is doing.
189
189
190 If you can reproduce the bug in a simple repository, that is very
190 If you can reproduce the bug in a simple repository, that is very
191 helpful. The best is to create a simple shell script to automate this
191 helpful. The best is to create a simple shell script to automate this
192 process, which can then be added to our test suite.
192 process, which can then be added to our test suite.
193
193
194
194
195 .Q. Can Mercurial do <x>?
195 .Q. Can Mercurial do <x>?
196
196
197 If you'd like to request a feature, send your request to
197 If you'd like to request a feature, send your request to
198 mercurial@selenic.com. As Mercurial is still very new, there are
198 mercurial@selenic.com. As Mercurial is still very new, there are
199 certainly features it is missing and you can give up feedback on how
199 certainly features it is missing and you can give us feedback on how
200 best to implement them.
200 best to implement them.
201
201
202
202
203 Section 3: Technical
203 Section 3: Technical
204 --------------------
204 --------------------
205
205
206 .Q. What limits does Mercurial have?
206 .Q. What limits does Mercurial have?
207
207
208 Mercurial currently assumes that single files, indices, and manifests
208 Mercurial currently assumes that single files, indices, and manifests
209 can fit in memory for efficiency.
209 can fit in memory for efficiency.
210
210
211 Offsets in revlogs are currently tracked with 32 bits, so a revlog for
211 Offsets in revlogs are currently tracked with 32 bits, so a revlog for
212 a single file can currently not grow beyond 4G.
212 a single file can currently not grow beyond 4G.
213
213
214 There should otherwise be no limits on file name length, file size,
214 There should otherwise be no limits on file name length, file size,
215 file contents, number of files, or number of revisions.
215 file contents, number of files, or number of revisions.
216
216
217 The network protocol is big-endian.
217 The network protocol is big-endian.
218
218
219 File names cannot contain the null character. Committer addresses
219 File names cannot contain the null character. Committer addresses
220 cannot contain newlines.
220 cannot contain newlines.
221
221
222 Mercurial is primarily developed for UNIX systems, so some UNIXisms
222 Mercurial is primarily developed for UNIX systems, so some UNIXisms
223 may be present in ports.
223 may be present in ports.
224
224
225
225
226 .Q. How does Mercurial store its data?
226 .Q. How does Mercurial store its data?
227
227
228 The fundamental storage type in Mercurial is a "revlog". A revlog is
228 The fundamental storage type in Mercurial is a "revlog". A revlog is
229 the set of all revisions of a named object. Each revision is either
229 the set of all revisions of a named object. Each revision is either
230 stored compressed in its entirety or as a compressed binary delta
230 stored compressed in its entirety or as a compressed binary delta
231 against the previous version. The decision of when to store a full
231 against the previous version. The decision of when to store a full
232 version is made based on how much data would be needed to reconstruct
232 version is made based on how much data would be needed to reconstruct
233 the file. This lets us ensure that we never need to read huge amounts
233 the file. This lets us ensure that we never need to read huge amounts
234 of data to reconstruct a object, regardless of how many revisions of it
234 of data to reconstruct a object, regardless of how many revisions of it
235 we store.
235 we store.
236
236
237 In fact, we should always be able to do it with a single read,
237 In fact, we should always be able to do it with a single read,
238 provided we know when and where to read. This is where the index comes
238 provided we know when and where to read. This is where the index comes
239 in. Each revlog has an index containing a special hash (nodeid) of the
239 in. Each revlog has an index containing a special hash (nodeid) of the
240 text, hashes for its parents, and where and how much of the revlog
240 text, hashes for its parents, and where and how much of the revlog
241 data we need to read to reconstruct it. Thus, with one read of the
241 data we need to read to reconstruct it. Thus, with one read of the
242 index and one read of the data, we can reconstruct any version in time
242 index and one read of the data, we can reconstruct any version in time
243 proportional to the object size.
243 proportional to the object size.
244
244
245 Similarly, revlogs and their indices are append-only. This means that
245 Similarly, revlogs and their indices are append-only. This means that
246 adding a new version is also O(1) seeks.
246 adding a new version is also O(1) seeks.
247
247
248 Revlogs are used to represent all revisions of files, manifests, and
248 Revlogs are used to represent all revisions of files, manifests, and
249 changesets. Compression for typical objects with lots of revisions can
249 changesets. Compression for typical objects with lots of revisions can
250 range from 100 to 1 for things like project makefiles to over 2000 to
250 range from 100 to 1 for things like project makefiles to over 2000 to
251 1 for objects like the manifest.
251 1 for objects like the manifest.
252
252
253
253
254 .Q. How are manifests and changesets stored?
254 .Q. How are manifests and changesets stored?
255
255
256 A manifest is simply a list of all files in a given revision of a
256 A manifest is simply a list of all files in a given revision of a
257 project along with the nodeids of the corresponding file revisions. So
257 project along with the nodeids of the corresponding file revisions. So
258 grabbing a given version of the project means simply looking up its
258 grabbing a given version of the project means simply looking up its
259 manifest and reconstruction all the file revisions pointed to by it.
259 manifest and reconstructing all the file revisions pointed to by it.
260
260
261 A changeset is a list of all files changed in a check-in along with a
261 A changeset is a list of all files changed in a check-in along with a
262 change description and some metadata like user and date. It also
262 change description and some metadata like user and date. It also
263 contains a nodeid to the relevent revision of the manifest.
263 contains a nodeid to the relevent revision of the manifest.
264
264
265
265
266 .Q. How do Mercurial hashes get calculated?
266 .Q. How do Mercurial hashes get calculated?
267
267
268 Mercurial hashes both the contents of an object and the hash of its
268 Mercurial hashes both the contents of an object and the hash of its
269 parents to create an identifier that uniquely identifies an object's
269 parents to create an identifier that uniquely identifies an object's
270 contents and history. This greatly simplifies merging of histories
270 contents and history. This greatly simplifies merging of histories
271 because it avoid graph cycles that can occur when a object is reverted
271 because it avoid graph cycles that can occur when a object is reverted
272 to an earlier state.
272 to an earlier state.
273
273
274 All file revisions have an associated hash value. These are listed in
274 All file revisions have an associated hash value. These are listed in
275 the manifest of a given project revision, and the manifest hash is
275 the manifest of a given project revision, and the manifest hash is
276 listed in the changeset. The changeset hash is again a hash of the
276 listed in the changeset. The changeset hash is again a hash of the
277 changeset contents and its parents, so it uniquely identifies the
277 changeset contents and its parents, so it uniquely identifies the
278 entire history of the project to that point.
278 entire history of the project to that point.
279
279
280
280
281 .Q. What checks are there on repository integrity?
281 .Q. What checks are there on repository integrity?
282
282
283 Every time a revlog object is retrieved, it is checked against its
283 Every time a revlog object is retrieved, it is checked against its
284 hash for integrity. It is also incidentally doublechecked by the
284 hash for integrity. It is also incidentally doublechecked by the
285 Adler32 checksum used by the underlying zlib compression.
285 Adler32 checksum used by the underlying zlib compression.
286
286
287 Running 'hg verify' decompresses and reconstitutes each revision of
287 Running 'hg verify' decompresses and reconstitutes each revision of
288 each object in the repository and cross-checks all of the index
288 each object in the repository and cross-checks all of the index
289 metadata with those contents.
289 metadata with those contents.
290
290
291 But this alone is not enough to ensure that someone hasn't tampered
291 But this alone is not enough to ensure that someone hasn't tampered
292 with a repository. For that, you need cryptographic signing.
292 with a repository. For that, you need cryptographic signing.
293
293
294
294
295 .Q. How does signing work with Mercurial?
295 .Q. How does signing work with Mercurial?
296
296
297 Take a look at the hgeditor script for an example. The basic idea is
297 Take a look at the hgeditor script for an example. The basic idea is
298 to use GPG to sign the manifest ID inside that changelog entry. The
298 to use GPG to sign the manifest ID inside that changelog entry. The
299 manifest ID is a recursive hash of all of the files in the system and
299 manifest ID is a recursive hash of all of the files in the system and
300 their complete history, and thus signing the manifest hash signs the
300 their complete history, and thus signing the manifest hash signs the
301 entire project contents.
301 entire project contents.
302
302
303
303
304 .Q. What about hash collisions? What about weaknesses in SHA1?
304 .Q. What about hash collisions? What about weaknesses in SHA1?
305
305
306 The SHA1 hashes are large enough that the odds of accidental hash collision
306 The SHA1 hashes are large enough that the odds of accidental hash collision
307 are negligible for projects that could be handled by the human race.
307 are negligible for projects that could be handled by the human race.
308 The known weaknesses in SHA1 are currently still not practical to
308 The known weaknesses in SHA1 are currently still not practical to
309 attack, and Mercurial will switch to SHA256 hashing before that
309 attack, and Mercurial will switch to SHA256 hashing before that
310 becomes a realistic concern.
310 becomes a realistic concern.
311
311
312 Collisions with the "short hashes" are not a concern as they're always
312 Collisions with the "short hashes" are not a concern as they're always
313 checked for ambiguity and are still long enough that they're not
313 checked for ambiguity and are still long enough that they're not
314 likely to happen for reasonably-sized projects (< 1M changes).
314 likely to happen for reasonably-sized projects (< 1M changes).
315
315
316
316
317
317
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