Re: [RFC v3] cat-file: add a --stdin-cmd mode

[Taylor Blau <me@ttaylorr.com>]

On Tue, Feb 01, 2022 at 08:34:06PM -0500, John Cai wrote:
> > So maybe a signal isn't the way to go. But I don't think `--stdin-cmd`
> > is the simplest approach either. At the very least, I don't totally
> > understand your plan after implementing a flush command. You mention
> > that it would be nice to implement other commands, but I'm not totally
> > convinced by your examples[1].
>
> I agree that if flush were the only use case for a new flag, it might not
> be worth it. But, the flush command is only one of the use cases that a
> --stdin-cmd (now changed to --batch-command per Phillip's suggestion)
>
> There are two other commands in this RFC
>
> object <rev>
> info <rev>
>
> These are described in [1] that are also a motivation for a command
> interface.
> The description in [1] explains why a command interface would be necessary.

This seems like a more realistic and well-motivated proposal, IMHO. I am
a little curious that having the ability to switch between asking for an
object's contents and its metadata would lead to saving thousands of
processes per server.

(Apropos of this series, I am curious: how long does GitLab keep a pair
of cat-file programs running for each repository?)

In any case, I'll take a closer look over the aforementioned version and
let you know what my thoughts are, probably tomorrow.

> 1. https://lore.kernel.org/git/20220128183319.43496-1-johncai86@gmail.com/

Thanks,
Taylor