How to permanently delete a file stored in GIT?

Question

I backed up my database to GIT just so I could get the db at my home computer.

I don't want this file to be versioned, it was just a 1 time thing really.

Can I delete it for good so GIT doesn't keep track of it going forward or historically?

Answer 1

Create a copy of it, delete the original one with 'git rm original.db', commit the change and move the copied file back to the original location.

Answer 2

You can with git filter-branch's --index-filter.

Answer 3

I always find Guides: Completely remove a file from all revisions feed helpful.