[PATCH] git-config(1): clarify precedence of multiple values

[John Keeping <john@keeping.me.uk>]

In order to clarify which value is used when there are multiple values
defined for a key, re-order the list of file locations so that it runs
from least specific to most specific.  Then add a paragraph which simply
says that the last value will be used.

Signed-off-by: John Keeping <john@keeping.me.uk>
---
On Sun, Jul 07, 2013 at 10:31:38AM -0700, Junio C Hamano wrote:
> John Keeping <john@keeping.me.uk> writes:
> 
> >> I wondered if we should explain the significance of "last" a bit
> >> more (like "this results in the value from the most specific
> >> configuration file to be used, the ones in $GIT_DIR/config
> >> overriding what is in $HOME/.gitconfig"), but I do not have a strong
> >> opinion either way.  Let's queue this for 'maint' for now.
> >
> > I don't think that change belongs here.  How about doing something like
> > this in the FILES section (the first two hunks are just reordering the
> > existing list, only the last hunk changes the content):
> 
> Sounds like a good change to me ;-).

So here it is as a proper patch :-)

 Documentation/git-config.txt | 20 ++++++++++++--------
 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Documentation/git-config.txt b/Documentation/git-config.txt
index fbad05e..99dc497 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-config.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-config.txt
@@ -206,12 +206,8 @@ FILES
 If not set explicitly with '--file', there are four files where
 'git config' will search for configuration options:
 
-$GIT_DIR/config::
-	Repository specific configuration file.
-
-~/.gitconfig::
-	User-specific configuration file. Also called "global"
-	configuration file.
+$(prefix)/etc/gitconfig::
+	System-wide configuration file.
 
 $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/git/config::
 	Second user-specific configuration file. If $XDG_CONFIG_HOME is not set
@@ -221,8 +217,12 @@ $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/git/config::
 	you sometimes use older versions of Git, as support for this
 	file was added fairly recently.
 
-$(prefix)/etc/gitconfig::
-	System-wide configuration file.
+~/.gitconfig::
+	User-specific configuration file. Also called "global"
+	configuration file.
+
+$GIT_DIR/config::
+	Repository specific configuration file.
 
 If no further options are given, all reading options will read all of these
 files that are available. If the global or the system-wide configuration
@@ -230,6 +230,10 @@ file are not available they will be ignored. If the repository configuration
 file is not available or readable, 'git config' will exit with a non-zero
 error code. However, in neither case will an error message be issued.
 
+The files are read in the order given above, with last value found taking
+precedence over values read earlier.  When multiple values are taken then all
+values of a key from all files will be used.
+
 All writing options will per default write to the repository specific
 configuration file. Note that this also affects options like '--replace-all'
 and '--unset'. *'git config' will only ever change one file at a time*.
-- 
1.8.3.2.855.gbc9faed