doc/bugs/adb_replaces_symlinks_by_plain_text_files.mdwn

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+### Please describe the problem.
+Using adb special remote import/export corrupts all symlinks in main repo (by replacing them by plain text files).
+
+### What steps will reproduce the problem?
+Primary annex repo contains an absolute symlink to another annex repo (or whatever).
+Exporting it through adb replaces it by plain text file (as android FS abstraction does not support symlinks).
+Importing from adb copies that plain text file and deletes symlink already present in the repo,
+treating it as a new file modified by user.
+
+### What version of git-annex are you using? On what operating system?
+git-annex version: 8.20211118-g23ee48898
+
+
+### Please provide any additional information below.
+
+Possible solutions:
+
+1) if PC repo contains symlink -- continue to export it as a plain text file (less changes).
+But on "import" compare its size with symlink size, and then compare content.
+Don't do anything if they are the same. 
+Cavet: user won't be able to *intentionally* replace symlinks by plain files on remote. Too esoteric usecase to consider.
+
+2) resolve symlink on PC and export actual file to android (probably most preferred workflow?).
+But on "import" compare its size against followed symlink file size, and then its content.
+Don't do anything if they are the same. 
+Replace symlink by actual file if they differ.