How does Git handle symbolic links?

Question

If I have a file or directory that is a symbolic link and I commit it to a Git repository, what happens to it?

I would assume that it leaves it as a symbolic link un

Answer 1

"Editor's" note: This post may contain outdated information. Please see comments and this question regarding changes in Git since 1.6.1.

Symlinked directories:

It's important to note what happens when there is a directory which is a soft link. Any Git pull with an update removes the link and makes it a normal directory. This is what I learnt hard way. Some insights here and here.

Example

Before

 ls -l
 lrwxrwxrwx 1 admin adm   29 Sep 30 15:28 src/somedir -> /mnt/somedir

git add/commit/push

It remains the same

After git pull AND some updates found

 drwxrwsr-x 2 admin adm 4096 Oct  2 05:54 src/somedir