Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

He offloaded the complexity to its users! :-)

If the command and option names had just been sensible, it would be a lot easier to learn and use. Half the usability difficulty, maybe more, is just this.



> If the command and option names had just been sensible

Holy shit, yes.

`git branch` in gitspeak really means `git branch list` in human-readable CLI

But `git branch ${NAME}` does not mean `git branch list ${NAME}`, instead it means `git branch create ${NAME}`

There is no `git branch switch ${NAME}` but instead it's `git checkout ${NAME}`

There is no `git branch log` – that would be `git log`, whereas if you want what should be `git log` what you really want is `git log --all`

Don't get me started on whether modified files are added, staged, or indexed...


They are added, staged, indexed, AND cached!


Complexity is unavoidable in the long run, but must be engineered out in the short run.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: