conflict resolution. This is not a partial order because it is not
transitive.
+\item[ $ \p, \py, \pn $ ]
+A patch $\p$ consists of two sets of commits $\pn$ and $\py$, which
+are respectively the base and tip git branches. $\p$ may be used
+where the context requires a set, in which case the statement
+is to be taken as applying to both $\py$ and $\pn$
+All these sets are distinct.
+
\end{basedescript}
\section{Invariants}