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Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

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Re: Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

#22
Whilst in theory, I'm neutral to the change on ethical grounds, I think in practice it will make things very confusing.

Master/Slave is such an established pair of terms in tech that they have a loaded meaning as soon as you see them.

If I see 'Master' and 'Slave' on an old hard disk, I know what that is. If I see "Configure one device to the master setting and the rest to slave.", I get a understanding of the relationship for free.

I don't think we will get that with replacement terms, at least not in the short term, and we're just setting ourselves up for confusion.

Re: Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

#24
post #9

But its not master as in master/slave (which I assume is the concern?) There is no slave branch. Its master like main or premier. Like a master bedroom.

Are you sure about that? I've seen a number of reports over the last few days that "master" in git is basically a holdover from BitKeeper which had master/slave repositories (and that in BitKeeper you use repos to "do" branching). I haven't looked into this in enough depth to convince myself either way, but I would do so before echoing your first sentence. Certainly a _lot_ of people are assuming it means "master cop…

You're right that I do not know the history. It might not be historically true but I would argue that's irrelevant to the conversation. (even as non relevant the conversation is to begin with!) Current perception is what matters.

Beyond that, seems like if it actually did refer to a master/slave architecture, it seems like there would be more reason to keep it describing what it is. Maybe the term invokes some violence but so does the kill command.

Re: Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

#26
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a ton of software that assumes the main branch is labeled master.

That software is broken if it doesn't allow you to configure this (just as git does).

You're right. But there's a lot of broken software out there that just trudges on with momentum.

That said, I'm pretty sure you can just make a main branch and delete master in your personal repos. I don't think git itself needs master, does it?

Re: Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

#27

git master means "Mastering a skill", "Mastering a recording", or to "Master oneself". Please no virtue-signalling crap like this. It's a harmful distraction.

You sure about that? Might want to google "git bitkeeper master slave" before making up your mind.

The meaning should be assesed in today's context, not based on an obscure piece of software that existed decades ago, and most people have never heard of.

The person could be factually wrong, but in a cultural sence he is correct - the word has another meaning.

Re: Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You sure about that? Might want to google "git bitkeeper master slave" before making up your mind.

The meaning should be assesed in today's context, not based on an obscure piece of software that existed decades ago, and most people have never heard of. The person could be factually wrong, but in a cultural sence he is correct - the word has another meaning.

OK, but those are only your opinions, even though you're stating them as if they're facts. Someone coming from a different culture might have a different opinion, of course.

Re: Discussion on renaming master branch gets heated, then shut down

#30
post #22

Whilst in theory, I'm neutral to the change on ethical grounds, I think in practice it will make things very confusing. Master/Slave is such an established pair of terms in tech that they have a loaded meaning as soon as you see them. If I see 'Master' and 'Slave' on an old hard disk, I know what that is. If I see "Configure one device to the master setting and the rest to slave.", I get a understanding of the relati…

> "Main" & "Secondary" has been proposed, enabling reusable interpretation of the remaining acronym labels for connecting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master/slave_(technology)#Term...

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