I Hate Git Submodules

skyfaller wrote: post #4

What do people think of git subtrees? https://codewinsarguments.co/2016/05/01/git-submodules-vs-gi... Or the non-standard git-subrepo? https://github.com/ingydotnet/git-subrepo

I came here to recommend subtrees. They're pretty good.

Re: I Hate Git Submodules

#6

Post by PaulBGD_ » Sun, Mar 28, 2021, 9:23 PM UTC

colesantiago wrote: post #3

then don't use them?

> Spoiler alert. I do not hate submodules. I do how ever have an instant oh oh response when people mention they want to solve a problem with Git submodules.

First line of the article explains the title.

Re: I Hate Git Submodules

#7

Post by crb002 » Sun, Mar 28, 2021, 9:24 PM UTC

Also hate them. Far better to have a dependency pulling shell script - no overhead of git yak shaving - just maintaining the URIs.

Re: I Hate Git Submodules

#8

Post by nix23 » Sun, Mar 28, 2021, 9:25 PM UTC

Me too, and that's why i work whenever possible with BitKeeper and nested repositories.

Re: I Hate Git Submodules

#9

Post by colesantiago » Sun, Mar 28, 2021, 9:27 PM UTC

PaulBGD_ wrote: post #6

colesantiago wrote: post #3

then don't use them?

> Spoiler alert. I do not hate submodules. I do how ever have an instant oh oh response when people mention they want to solve a problem with Git submodules. First line of the article explains the title.

> Why I hate submodules.

> Spoiler alert. I do not hate submodules.

Clickbait much? Make up your mind?

Re: I Hate Git Submodules

#10

Post by qznc » Sun, Mar 28, 2021, 9:28 PM UTC

It believe it is a question of maturity. If the subcomponent is mature enough, then turning it into a package is fine. The cost is that patching the subcomponent and testing the main component takes more effort (though you can script it). With submodules at least the build and test cycle is as quick as if it is in the same repo.

So there is a scale from quicker iteration to less coupled: same repo, submodule, different package. The question is in which cases the middle step "submodule" is worth it or if you should rather switch to one of the others always.