The sparse-checkout feature is mostly hidden to users, as its
only documentation is supplementary information in the docs for
'git read-tree'. In addition, users need to know how to edit the
.git/info/sparse-checkout file with the right patterns, then run
the appropriate 'git read-tree -mu HEAD' command. Keeping the
working directory in sync with the sparse-checkout file requires
care.
Begin an effort to make the sparse-checkout feature a porcelain
feature by creating a new 'git sparse-checkout' builtin. This
builtin will be the preferred mechanism for manipulating the
sparse-checkout file and syncing the working directory.
The documentation provided is adapted from the "git read-tree"
documentation with a few edits for clarity in the new context.
Extra sections are added to hint toward a future change to
a more restricted pattern set.
Helped-by: Elijah Newren <newren@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Derrick Stolee <dstolee@microsoft.com>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
