---
layout: post
title: Removing master references from github repositories
date: 2020-06-15 10:24
author: rick
categories: 
---

I recently [found out](https://twitter.com/natfriedman/status/1271253144442253312) the term 'master' as repository name is considered offensive, since it is often used in conjunction with the term 'slave' Which in hindsight is indeed [not correct to use](https://en.wikipedia.org/notes/Master/slave_(technology)#Terminology_concerns).

Since it is not technology limiting how a branch is named, changing is just a matter of making of spending some time on it. If I can make the world a better place by renaming a few of repository trees, it's time well spend.

Since FreeBSD and subversion is using the word [trunk](https://en.wikipedia.org/notes/Trunk_%28software%29) together with branches for ages, so I thought it would make a much better alternative.

Switching is a semi-easy, first create and new branch:

```
$ git checkout -b trunk
Switched to a new branch 'trunk'
$ git push -u origin trunk
Total 0 (delta 0), reused 0 (delta 0)
remote: 
remote: Create a pull request for 'trunk' on GitHub by visiting:
remote:      https://github.com/rickvanderzwet/nagios-plugins/pull/new/trunk
remote: 
To https://github.com/rickvanderzwet/nagios-plugins.git
 * [new branch]        trunk -> trunk
Branch 'trunk' set up to track remote branch 'trunk' from 'origin'.
```

Deleting old branch:

```
$ git push origin --delete master
To https://github.com/rickvanderzwet/nagios-plugins.git
 ! [remote rejected]   master (refusing to delete the current branch: refs/heads/master)
error: failed to push some refs to 'https://github.com/rickvanderzwet/nagios-plugins.git'
```

Whoops make sure to change the GitHub default branch, in mine case found at:

>   https://github.com/rickvanderzwet/nagios-plugins/branches
And try again:

```
$ git push origin --delete master
To https://github.com/rickvanderzwet/nagios-plugins.git
 - [deleted]           master

# Delete local branch:
$ git branch -d master
Deleted branch master (was 82e57d4d).

# Update head reference pointer:
$ git remote set-head origin trunk
```