Highlights from Git 2.42

Git 2.42 introduces significant enhancements and optimizations to the Git system, incorporating contributions from over 78 developers, including 17 newcomers. Notable improvements include faster object traversals thanks to a new bitmap traversal algorithm that excels in sparse bitmap coverage situations, an efficient reference exclusion mechanism for the `for-each-ref` command, and a `gc.recentObjectsHook` configuration for preserving unreachable objects from garbage collection. Additionally, the release enhances the `diff-tree` command to support sparse indexes, refines `git rev-list` to accommodate complex modifiers in `--stdin` mode, and addresses issues with tag conflicts and tag message retention. These updates collectively aim to improve performance, streamline processes, and provide more robust data handling capabilities within Git repositories.