thodg/libgit2

diff --git a/include/git2/commit.h b/include/git2/commit.h
index 356b875..84adef5 100644
--- a/include/git2/commit.h
+++ b/include/git2/commit.h
@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_parent(git_commit **parent, git_commit *commit, unsig
 GIT_EXTERN(const git_oid *) git_commit_parent_oid(git_commit *commit, unsigned int n);
 
 /**
- * Create a new commit in the repository
+ * Create a new commit in the repository using `git_object`
+ * instances as parameters.
  *
  * @param oid Pointer where to store the OID of the
  *	newly created commit
@@ -214,16 +215,16 @@ GIT_EXTERN(const git_oid *) git_commit_parent_oid(git_commit *commit, unsigned i
  *
  * @param message Full message for this commit
  *
- * @param tree_oid Object ID of the tree for this commit. Note that
- *  no validation is performed on this OID. Use the _o variants of
- *  this method to assure a proper tree is passed to the commit.
+ * @param tree An instance of a `git_tree` object that will
+ * be used as the tree for the commit. This tree object must
+ * also be owned by the given `repo`.
  *
  * @param parent_count Number of parents for this commit
  *
- * @param parent_oids[] Array of pointers to parent OIDs for this commit.
- *	Note that no validation is performed on these OIDs. Use the _o
- *	variants of this method to assure that are parents for the commit
- *	are proper objects.
+ * @param parents[] Array of `parent_count` pointers to `git_commit`
+ * objects that will be used as the parents for this commit. This
+ * array may be NULL if `parent_count` is 0 (root commit). All the
+ * given commits must be owned by the `repo`.
  *
  * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise
  *	The created commit will be written to the Object Database and
@@ -236,38 +237,13 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_create(
 		const git_signature *author,
 		const git_signature *committer,
 		const char *message,
-		const git_oid *tree_oid,
-		int parent_count,
-		const git_oid *parent_oids[]);
-
-/**
- * Create a new commit in the repository using `git_object`
- * instances as parameters.
- *
- * The `tree_oid` and `parent_oids` paremeters now take a instance
- * of `git_tree` and `git_commit`, respectively.
- *
- * All other parameters remain the same
- *
- * @see git_commit_create
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_create_o(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *update_ref,
-		const git_signature *author,
-		const git_signature *committer,
-		const char *message,
 		const git_tree *tree,
 		int parent_count,
 		const git_commit *parents[]);
 
 /**
- * Create a new commit in the repository using `git_object`
- * instances and a variable argument list.
- *
- * The `tree_oid` paremeter now takes a instance
- * of `const git_tree *`.
+ * Create a new commit in the repository using a variable
+ * argument list.
  *
  * The parents for the commit are specified as a variable
  * list of pointers to `const git_commit *`. Note that this
@@ -278,31 +254,6 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_create_o(
  *
  * @see git_commit_create
  */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_create_ov(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *update_ref,
-		const git_signature *author,
-		const git_signature *committer,
-		const char *message,
-		const git_tree *tree,
-		int parent_count,
-		...);
-
-
-/**
- * Create a new commit in the repository using 
- * a variable argument list.
- *
- * The parents for the commit are specified as a variable
- * list of pointers to `const git_oid *`. Note that this
- * is a convenience method which may not be safe to export
- * for certain languages or compilers
- *
- * All other parameters remain the same
- *
- * @see git_commit_create
- */
 GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_create_v(
 		git_oid *oid,
 		git_repository *repo,
@@ -310,7 +261,7 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_commit_create_v(
 		const git_signature *author,
 		const git_signature *committer,
 		const char *message,
-		const git_oid *tree_oid,
+		const git_tree *tree,
 		int parent_count,
 		...);
 
diff --git a/include/git2/oid.h b/include/git2/oid.h
index 06bbfcc..46d0dce 100644
--- a/include/git2/oid.h
+++ b/include/git2/oid.h
@@ -65,6 +65,19 @@ typedef struct {
 GIT_EXTERN(int) git_oid_fromstr(git_oid *out, const char *str);
 
 /**
+ * Parse N characters of a hex formatted object id into a git_oid
+ *
+ * If N is odd, N-1 characters will be parsed instead.
+ * The remaining space in the git_oid will be set to zero.
+ *
+ * @param out oid structure the result is written into.
+ * @param str input hex string of at least size `length`
+ * @param length length of the input string
+ * @return GIT_SUCCESS if valid; GIT_ENOTOID on failure.
+ */
+GIT_EXTERN(int) git_oid_fromstrn(git_oid *out, const char *str, size_t length);
+
+/**
  * Copy an already raw oid into a git_oid structure.
  *
  * @param out oid structure the result is written into.
diff --git a/include/git2/refs.h b/include/git2/refs.h
index 2c3aac7..384e8e2 100644
--- a/include/git2/refs.h
+++ b/include/git2/refs.h
@@ -60,34 +60,17 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_lookup(git_reference **reference_out, git_reposito
  * This reference is owned by the repository and shall not
  * be free'd by the user.
  *
- * @param ref_out Pointer to the newly created reference
- * @param repo Repository where that reference will live
- * @param name The name of the reference
- * @param target The target of the reference
- * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_symbolic(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target);
-
-/**
- * Create a new symbolic reference, overwriting an existing one with
- * the same name, if it exists.
- *
- * If the new reference isn't a symbolic one, any pointers to the old
- * reference become invalid.
- *
- * The reference will be created in the repository and written
- * to the disk.
- *
- * This reference is owned by the repository and shall not
- * be free'd by the user.
+ * If `force` is true and there already exists a reference
+ * with the same name, it will be overwritten.
  *
  * @param ref_out Pointer to the newly created reference
  * @param repo Repository where that reference will live
  * @param name The name of the reference
  * @param target The target of the reference
+ * @param force Overwrite existing references
  * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise
  */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_symbolic_f(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target);
+GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_symbolic(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target, int force);
 
 /**
  * Create a new object id reference.
@@ -98,34 +81,17 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_symbolic_f(git_reference **ref_out, git_rep
  * This reference is owned by the repository and shall not
  * be free'd by the user.
  *
- * @param ref_out Pointer to the newly created reference
- * @param repo Repository where that reference will live
- * @param name The name of the reference
- * @param id The object id pointed to by the reference.
- * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_oid(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id);
-
-/**
- * Create a new object id reference, overwriting an existing one with
- * the same name, if it exists.
- *
- * If the new reference isn't an object id one, any pointers to the
- * old reference become invalid.
- *
- * The reference will be created in the repository and written
- * to the disk.
- *
- * This reference is owned by the repository and shall not
- * be free'd by the user.
+ * If `force` is true and there already exists a reference
+ * with the same name, it will be overwritten.
  *
  * @param ref_out Pointer to the newly created reference
  * @param repo Repository where that reference will live
  * @param name The name of the reference
  * @param id The object id pointed to by the reference.
+ * @param force Overwrite existing references
  * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise
  */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_oid_f(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id);
+GIT_EXTERN(int) git_reference_create_oid(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id, int force);
 
 /**
  * Get the OID pointed to by a reference.
diff --git a/include/git2/tag.h b/include/git2/tag.h
index b92f79d..11eac90 100644
--- a/include/git2/tag.h
+++ b/include/git2/tag.h
@@ -151,6 +151,10 @@ GIT_EXTERN(const char *) git_tag_message(git_tag *tag);
 /**
  * Create a new tag in the repository from an OID
  *
+ * A new reference will also be created pointing to
+ * this tag object. If `force` is true and a reference
+ * already exists with the given name, it'll be replaced.
+ *
  * @param oid Pointer where to store the OID of the
  * newly created tag. If the tag already exists, this parameter
  * will be the oid of the existed tag, and the function will
@@ -162,18 +166,16 @@ GIT_EXTERN(const char *) git_tag_message(git_tag *tag);
  * for consistency. It should also not conflict with an 
  * already existing tag name
  *
- * @param target OID to which this tag points; note that no
- *	validation is done on this OID. Use the _o version of this
- *	method to assure a proper object is being tagged
- *
- * @param target_type Type of the tagged OID; note that no
- *	validation is performed here either
+ * @param target Object to which this tag points. This object
+ * must belong to the given `repo`.
  *
  * @param tagger Signature of the tagger for this tag, and
  *  of the tagging time
  *
  * @param message Full message for this tag
  *
+ * @param force Overwritte existing references
+ *
  * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise.
  *	A tag object is written to the ODB, and a proper reference
  *	is written in the /refs/tags folder, pointing to it
@@ -182,103 +184,25 @@ GIT_EXTERN(int) git_tag_create(
 		git_oid *oid,
 		git_repository *repo,
 		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_oid *target,
-		git_otype target_type,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message);
-
-
-/**
- * Create a new tag in the repository from an existing
- * `git_object` instance
- *
- * This method replaces the `target` and `target_type`
- * paremeters of `git_tag_create` by a single instance
- * of a `const git_object *`, which is assured to be
- * a proper object in the ODB and hence will create
- * a valid tag
- *
- * @see git_tag_create
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_tag_create_o(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
 		const git_object *target,
 		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message);
+		const char *message,
+		int force);
 
 /**
  * Create a new tag in the repository from a buffer
  *
  * @param oid Pointer where to store the OID of the newly created tag
- *
  * @param repo Repository where to store the tag
- *
  * @param buffer Raw tag data
+ * @param force Overwrite existing tags
+ * @return 0 on sucess; error code otherwise
  */
 GIT_EXTERN(int) git_tag_create_frombuffer(
 		git_oid *oid,
 		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *buffer);
-
-/**
- * Create a new tag in the repository from an OID
- * and overwrite an already existing tag reference, if any.
- *
- * @param oid Pointer where to store the OID of the
- *	newly created tag
- *
- * @param repo Repository where to store the tag
- *
- * @param tag_name Name for the tag; this name is validated
- * for consistency.
- *
- * @param target OID to which this tag points; note that no
- *	validation is done on this OID. Use the _fo version of this
- *	method to assure a proper object is being tagged
- *
- * @param target_type Type of the tagged OID; note that no
- *	validation is performed here either
- *
- * @param tagger Signature of the tagger for this tag, and
- *  of the tagging time
- *
- * @param message Full message for this tag
- *
- * @return 0 on success; error code otherwise.
- *	A tag object is written to the ODB, and a proper reference
- *	is written in the /refs/tags folder, pointing to it
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_tag_create_f(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_oid *target,
-		git_otype target_type,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message);
-
-/**
- * Create a new tag in the repository from an existing
- * `git_object` instance and overwrite an already existing 
- * tag reference, if any.
- *
- * This method replaces the `target` and `target_type`
- * paremeters of `git_tag_create_f` by a single instance
- * of a `const git_object *`, which is assured to be
- * a proper object in the ODB and hence will create
- * a valid tag
- *
- * @see git_tag_create_f
- */
-GIT_EXTERN(int) git_tag_create_fo(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_object *target,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message);
+		const char *buffer,
+		int force);
 
 /**
  * Delete an existing tag reference.
diff --git a/src/commit.c b/src/commit.c
index 6857edd..c94ea76 100644
--- a/src/commit.c
+++ b/src/commit.c
@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ const git_oid *git_commit_id(git_commit *c)
 	return git_object_id((git_object *)c);
 }
 
-
 int git_commit_create_v(
 		git_oid *oid,
 		git_repository *repo,
@@ -82,63 +81,31 @@ int git_commit_create_v(
 		const git_signature *author,
 		const git_signature *committer,
 		const char *message,
-		const git_oid *tree_oid,
-		int parent_count,
-		...)
-{
-	va_list ap;
-	int i, error;
-	const git_oid **oids;
-
-	oids = git__malloc(parent_count * sizeof(git_oid *));
-
-	va_start(ap, parent_count);
-	for (i = 0; i < parent_count; ++i)
-		oids[i] = va_arg(ap, const git_oid *);
-	va_end(ap);
-
-	error = git_commit_create(
-		oid, repo, update_ref, author, committer, message,
-		tree_oid, parent_count, oids);
-
-	free((void *)oids);
-
-	return error;
-}
-
-int git_commit_create_ov(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *update_ref,
-		const git_signature *author,
-		const git_signature *committer,
-		const char *message,
 		const git_tree *tree,
 		int parent_count,
 		...)
 {
 	va_list ap;
 	int i, error;
-	const git_oid **oids;
+	const git_commit **parents;
 
-	oids = git__malloc(parent_count * sizeof(git_oid *));
+	parents = git__malloc(parent_count * sizeof(git_commit *));
 
 	va_start(ap, parent_count);
 	for (i = 0; i < parent_count; ++i)
-		oids[i] = git_object_id(va_arg(ap, const git_object *));
+		parents[i] = va_arg(ap, const git_commit *);
 	va_end(ap);
 
 	error = git_commit_create(
 		oid, repo, update_ref, author, committer, message,
-		git_object_id((git_object *)tree),
-		parent_count, oids);
+		tree, parent_count, parents);
 
-	free((void *)oids);
+	free((void *)parents);
 
 	return error;
 }
 
-int git_commit_create_o(
+int git_commit_create(
 		git_oid *oid,
 		git_repository *repo,
 		const char *update_ref,
@@ -149,35 +116,6 @@ int git_commit_create_o(
 		int parent_count,
 		const git_commit *parents[])
 {
-	int i, error;
-	const git_oid **oids;
-
-	oids = git__malloc(parent_count * sizeof(git_oid *));
-
-	for (i = 0; i < parent_count; ++i)
-		oids[i] = git_object_id((git_object *)parents[i]);
-
-	error = git_commit_create(
-		oid, repo, update_ref, author, committer, message,
-		git_object_id((git_object *)tree),
-		parent_count, oids);
-	
-	free((void *)oids);
-
-	return error;
-}
-
-int git_commit_create(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *update_ref,
-		const git_signature *author,
-		const git_signature *committer,
-		const char *message,
-		const git_oid *tree_oid,
-		int parent_count,
-		const git_oid *parents[])
-{
 	size_t final_size = 0;
 	int message_length, author_length, committer_length;
 
@@ -202,10 +140,17 @@ int git_commit_create(
 	if ((error = git_odb_open_wstream(&stream, repo->db, final_size, GIT_OBJ_COMMIT)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
 		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create commit");
 
-	git__write_oid(stream, "tree", tree_oid);
+	if (git_object_owner((const git_object *)tree) != repo)
+		return git__throw(GIT_EINVALIDARGS, "The given tree does not belong to this repository");
 
-	for (i = 0; i < parent_count; ++i)
-		git__write_oid(stream, "parent", parents[i]);
+	git__write_oid(stream, "tree", git_object_id((const git_object *)tree));
+
+	for (i = 0; i < parent_count; ++i) {
+		if (git_object_owner((const git_object *)parents[i]) != repo)
+			return git__throw(GIT_EINVALIDARGS, "The given parent does not belong to this repository");
+
+		git__write_oid(stream, "parent", git_object_id((const git_object *)parents[i]));
+	}
 
 	stream->write(stream, author_str, author_length);
 	free(author_str);
@@ -213,7 +158,6 @@ int git_commit_create(
 	stream->write(stream, committer_str, committer_length);
 	free(committer_str);
 
-
 	stream->write(stream, "\n", 1);
 	stream->write(stream, message, message_length);
 
@@ -238,7 +182,7 @@ int git_commit_create(
 		 * point to) or after an orphan checkout, so if the target
 		 * branch doesn't exist yet, create it and return.
 		 */
-			return git_reference_create_oid_f(&head, repo, git_reference_target(head), oid);
+			return git_reference_create_oid(&head, repo, git_reference_target(head), oid, 1);
 		}
 
 		error = git_reference_set_oid(head, oid);
diff --git a/src/oid.c b/src/oid.c
index 3e3237f..70dd7c5 100644
--- a/src/oid.c
+++ b/src/oid.c
@@ -49,19 +49,37 @@ static signed char from_hex[] = {
 };
 static char to_hex[] = "0123456789abcdef";
 
-int git_oid_fromstr(git_oid *out, const char *str)
+int git_oid_fromstrn(git_oid *out, const char *str, size_t length)
 {
 	size_t p;
-	for (p = 0; p < sizeof(out->id); p++, str += 2) {
-		int v = (from_hex[(unsigned char)str[0]] << 4)
-		       | from_hex[(unsigned char)str[1]];
+
+	if (length > GIT_OID_HEXSZ)
+		length = GIT_OID_HEXSZ;
+
+	if (length % 2)
+		length--;
+
+	for (p = 0; p < length; p += 2) {
+		int v = (from_hex[(unsigned char)str[p + 0]] << 4)
+		       | from_hex[(unsigned char)str[p + 1]];
+
 		if (v < 0)
 			return git__throw(GIT_ENOTOID, "Failed to generate sha1. Given string is not a valid sha1 hash");
-		out->id[p] = (unsigned char)v;
+
+		out->id[p / 2] = (unsigned char)v;
 	}
+
+	for (; p < GIT_OID_HEXSZ; p += 2)
+		out->id[p / 2] = 0x0;
+
 	return GIT_SUCCESS;
 }
 
+int git_oid_fromstr(git_oid *out, const char *str)
+{
+	return git_oid_fromstrn(out, str, GIT_OID_HEXSZ);
+}
+
 GIT_INLINE(char) *fmt_one(char *str, unsigned int val)
 {
 	*str++ = to_hex[val >> 4];
diff --git a/src/refs.c b/src/refs.c
index ac13736..d4a820b 100644
--- a/src/refs.c
+++ b/src/refs.c
@@ -920,117 +920,6 @@ cleanup:
 	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to write packed reference");
 }
 
-/*****************************************
- * Internal methods - reference creation
- *****************************************/
-
-static int reference_create_symbolic(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target, int force)
-{
-	char normalized[GIT_REFNAME_MAX];
-	int error = GIT_SUCCESS, updated = 0;
-	git_reference *ref = NULL, *old_ref = NULL;
-
-	if (git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, name) == GIT_SUCCESS && !force)
-		return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Failed to create symbolic reference. Reference already exists");
-
-	/*
-	 * If they old ref was of the same type, then we can just update
-	 * it (once we've checked that the target is valid). Otherwise we
-	 * need a new reference because we can't make a symbolic ref out
-	 * of an oid one.
-	 * If if didn't exist, then we need to create a new one anyway.
-     */
-	if (ref && ref->type & GIT_REF_SYMBOLIC){
-		updated = 1;
-	} else {
-		ref = NULL;
-		error = reference_create(&ref, repo, name, GIT_REF_SYMBOLIC);
-		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-			goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/* The target can aither be the name of an object id reference or the name of another symbolic reference */
-	error = normalize_name(normalized, sizeof(normalized), target, 0);
-	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-		goto cleanup;
-
-	/* set the target; this will write the reference on disk */
-	error = git_reference_set_target(ref, normalized);
-	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-		goto cleanup;
-
-	/*
-	 * If we didn't update the ref, then we need to insert or replace
-	 * it in the loose cache. If we replaced a ref, free it.
-	 */
-	if (!updated){
-		error = git_hashtable_insert2(repo->references.loose_cache, ref->name, ref, (void **) &old_ref);
-		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-			goto cleanup;
-
-		if(old_ref)
-			reference_free(old_ref);
-	}
-
-	*ref_out = ref;
-
-	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create symbolic reference");
-
-cleanup:
-	reference_free(ref);
-	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create symbolic reference");
-}
-
-static int reference_create_oid(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id, int force)
-{
-	int error = GIT_SUCCESS, updated = 0;
-	git_reference *ref = NULL, *old_ref = NULL;
-
-	if(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, name) == GIT_SUCCESS && !force)
-		return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Failed to create reference OID. Reference already exists");
-
-	if ((error = reference_available(repo, name, NULL)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
-		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create reference");
-
-	/*
-	 * If they old ref was of the same type, then we can just update
-	 * it (once we've checked that the target is valid). Otherwise we
-	 * need a new reference because we can't make a symbolic ref out
-	 * of an oid one.
-	 * If if didn't exist, then we need to create a new one anyway.
-     */
-	if (ref && ref-> type & GIT_REF_OID){
-		updated = 1;
-	} else {
-		ref = NULL;
-		error = reference_create(&ref, repo, name, GIT_REF_OID);
-		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-			goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	/* set the oid; this will write the reference on disk */
-	error = git_reference_set_oid(ref, id);
-	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-		goto cleanup;
-
-	if(!updated){
-		error = git_hashtable_insert2(repo->references.loose_cache, ref->name, ref, (void **) &old_ref);
-		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-			goto cleanup;
-
-		if(old_ref)
-			reference_free(old_ref);
-	}
-
-	*ref_out = ref;
-
-	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create reference OID");
-
-cleanup:
-	reference_free(ref);
-	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create reference OID");
-}
-
 static int _reference_available_cb(const char *ref, void *data)
 {
 	const char *new, *old;
@@ -1261,26 +1150,6 @@ int git_reference_lookup(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const ch
 	return git__throw(GIT_ENOTFOUND, "Failed to lookup reference. Reference doesn't exist");
 }
 
-int git_reference_create_symbolic(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target)
-{
-	return reference_create_symbolic(ref_out, repo, name, target, 0);
-}
-
-int git_reference_create_symbolic_f(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target)
-{
-	return reference_create_symbolic(ref_out, repo, name, target, 1);
-}
-
-int git_reference_create_oid(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id)
-{
-	return reference_create_oid(ref_out, repo, name, id, 0);
-}
-
-int git_reference_create_oid_f(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id)
-{
-	return reference_create_oid(ref_out, repo, name, id, 1);
-}
-
 /**
  * Getters
  */
@@ -1335,6 +1204,113 @@ const char *git_reference_target(git_reference *ref)
 	return ((reference_symbolic *)ref)->target;
 }
 
+int git_reference_create_symbolic(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const char *target, int force)
+{
+	char normalized[GIT_REFNAME_MAX];
+	int error = GIT_SUCCESS, updated = 0;
+	git_reference *ref = NULL, *old_ref = NULL;
+
+	if (git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, name) == GIT_SUCCESS && !force)
+		return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Failed to create symbolic reference. Reference already exists");
+
+	/*
+	 * If they old ref was of the same type, then we can just update
+	 * it (once we've checked that the target is valid). Otherwise we
+	 * need a new reference because we can't make a symbolic ref out
+	 * of an oid one.
+	 * If if didn't exist, then we need to create a new one anyway.
+     */
+	if (ref && ref->type & GIT_REF_SYMBOLIC){
+		updated = 1;
+	} else {
+		ref = NULL;
+		error = reference_create(&ref, repo, name, GIT_REF_SYMBOLIC);
+		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+			goto cleanup;
+	}
+
+	/* The target can aither be the name of an object id reference or the name of another symbolic reference */
+	error = normalize_name(normalized, sizeof(normalized), target, 0);
+	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+		goto cleanup;
+
+	/* set the target; this will write the reference on disk */
+	error = git_reference_set_target(ref, normalized);
+	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+		goto cleanup;
+
+	/*
+	 * If we didn't update the ref, then we need to insert or replace
+	 * it in the loose cache. If we replaced a ref, free it.
+	 */
+	if (!updated){
+		error = git_hashtable_insert2(repo->references.loose_cache, ref->name, ref, (void **) &old_ref);
+		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+			goto cleanup;
+
+		if(old_ref)
+			reference_free(old_ref);
+	}
+
+	*ref_out = ref;
+
+	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create symbolic reference");
+
+cleanup:
+	reference_free(ref);
+	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create symbolic reference");
+}
+
+int git_reference_create_oid(git_reference **ref_out, git_repository *repo, const char *name, const git_oid *id, int force)
+{
+	int error = GIT_SUCCESS, updated = 0;
+	git_reference *ref = NULL, *old_ref = NULL;
+
+	if(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, name) == GIT_SUCCESS && !force)
+		return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Failed to create reference OID. Reference already exists");
+
+	if ((error = reference_available(repo, name, NULL)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
+		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create reference");
+
+	/*
+	 * If they old ref was of the same type, then we can just update
+	 * it (once we've checked that the target is valid). Otherwise we
+	 * need a new reference because we can't make a symbolic ref out
+	 * of an oid one.
+	 * If if didn't exist, then we need to create a new one anyway.
+     */
+	if (ref && ref-> type & GIT_REF_OID){
+		updated = 1;
+	} else {
+		ref = NULL;
+		error = reference_create(&ref, repo, name, GIT_REF_OID);
+		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+			goto cleanup;
+	}
+
+	/* set the oid; this will write the reference on disk */
+	error = git_reference_set_oid(ref, id);
+	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+		goto cleanup;
+
+	if(!updated){
+		error = git_hashtable_insert2(repo->references.loose_cache, ref->name, ref, (void **) &old_ref);
+		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
+			goto cleanup;
+
+		if(old_ref)
+			reference_free(old_ref);
+	}
+
+	*ref_out = ref;
+
+	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create reference OID");
+
+cleanup:
+	reference_free(ref);
+	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create reference OID");
+}
+
 /**
  * Setters
  */
diff --git a/src/repository.c b/src/repository.c
index 1fef739..7e3f26e 100644
--- a/src/repository.c
+++ b/src/repository.c
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ static int repo_init_reinit(repo_init *results)
 static int repo_init_createhead(git_repository *repo)
 {
 	git_reference *head_reference;
-	return git_reference_create_symbolic(&head_reference, repo, GIT_HEAD_FILE, GIT_REFS_HEADS_MASTER_FILE);	/* TODO: finalize moving refs.c to new error handling */
+	return git_reference_create_symbolic(&head_reference, repo, GIT_HEAD_FILE, GIT_REFS_HEADS_MASTER_FILE, 0);
 }
 
 static int repo_init_check_head_existence(char * repository_path)
diff --git a/src/tag.c b/src/tag.c
index c3924a1..45450b9 100644
--- a/src/tag.c
+++ b/src/tag.c
@@ -180,52 +180,11 @@ static int retreive_tag_reference(git_reference **tag_reference_out, char *ref_n
 	return GIT_SUCCESS;
 }
 
-/* tag_reference_out will contain the reference of the tag if exists, otherwise NULL */
-static int tag_valid_in_odb(
-	git_reference **tag_reference_out,
-	char *ref_name_out,
-	const git_oid *target,
-	git_otype target_type,
-	git_repository *repo,
-	const char *tag_name) {
-	
-	int error;
-	
-	*tag_reference_out = NULL;
-	
-	
-	error = retreive_tag_reference(tag_reference_out, ref_name_out, repo, tag_name);
-	
-	switch (error) {
-		case GIT_SUCCESS:
-		/* Fall trough */
-		case GIT_ENOTFOUND: 
-			break;
-		
-		default:
-			return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
-	}
-	
-	if (!git_odb_exists(repo->db, target))
-		return git__throw(GIT_ENOTFOUND, "Failed to create tag. Object to tag doesn't exist");
-	
-	/* Try to find out what the type is */
-	if (target_type == GIT_OBJ_ANY) {
-		size_t _unused;
-		error = git_odb_read_header(&_unused, &target_type, repo->db, target);
-		if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
-			return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
-	}
-	
-	return GIT_SUCCESS;
-}
-
-static int tag_create(
+int git_tag_create(
 		git_oid *oid,
 		git_repository *repo,
 		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_oid *target,
-		git_otype target_type,
+		const git_object *target,
 		const git_signature *tagger,
 		const char *message,
 		int allow_ref_overwrite)
@@ -235,20 +194,31 @@ static int tag_create(
 
 	const char *type_str;
 	char *tagger_str;
-	git_reference *new_ref;
+	git_reference *new_ref = NULL;
 
 	char ref_name[GIT_REFNAME_MAX];
 
 	int type_str_len, tag_name_len, tagger_str_len, message_len;
 	int error, should_update_ref = 0;
 
-	if ((error = tag_valid_in_odb(&new_ref, ref_name, target, target_type, repo, tag_name)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
-		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
+	if (git_object_owner(target) != repo)
+		return git__throw(GIT_EINVALIDARGS, "The given target does not belong to this repository");
+
+	error = retreive_tag_reference(&new_ref, ref_name, repo, tag_name);
 	
+	switch (error) {
+		case GIT_SUCCESS:
+		case GIT_ENOTFOUND:
+			break;
+
+		default:
+			return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
+	}
+
 	/** Ensure the tag name doesn't conflict with an already existing 
 	 *   reference unless overwriting has explictly been requested **/
-	if(new_ref != NULL) {
-		if(!allow_ref_overwrite) {
+	if (new_ref != NULL) {
+		if (!allow_ref_overwrite) {
 			git_oid_cpy(oid, git_reference_oid(new_ref));
 			return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Tag already exists");
 		} else {
@@ -256,8 +226,7 @@ static int tag_create(
 		}
 	}
 
-	type_str = git_object_type2string(target_type);
-
+	type_str = git_object_type2string(git_object_type(target));
 	tagger_str_len = git_signature__write(&tagger_str, "tagger", tagger);
 
 	type_str_len = strlen(type_str);
@@ -273,7 +242,7 @@ static int tag_create(
 	if ((error = git_odb_open_wstream(&stream, repo->db, final_size, GIT_OBJ_TAG)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
 		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
 
-	git__write_oid(stream, "object", target);
+	git__write_oid(stream, "object", git_object_id(target));
 
 	stream->write(stream, "type ", STRLEN("type "));
 	stream->write(stream, type_str, type_str_len);
@@ -296,18 +265,19 @@ static int tag_create(
 		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
 
 	if (!should_update_ref)
-		error = git_reference_create_oid(&new_ref, repo, ref_name, oid);
+		error = git_reference_create_oid(&new_ref, repo, ref_name, oid, 0);
 	else
 		error = git_reference_set_oid(new_ref, oid);
 	
 	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
 }
 
-int git_tag_create_frombuffer(git_oid *oid, git_repository *repo, const char *buffer)
+int git_tag_create_frombuffer(git_oid *oid, git_repository *repo, const char *buffer, int allow_ref_overwrite)
 {
 	git_tag tag;
-	int error;
+	int error, should_update_ref = 0;
 	git_odb_stream *stream;
+	git_odb_object *target_obj;
 	
 	git_reference *new_ref;
 	char ref_name[GIT_REFNAME_MAX];
@@ -317,16 +287,38 @@ int git_tag_create_frombuffer(git_oid *oid, git_repository *repo, const char *bu
 	memset(&tag, 0, sizeof(tag));
 	
 	/* validate the buffer */
-	
 	if ((error = parse_tag_buffer(&tag, buffer, buffer + strlen(buffer))) < GIT_SUCCESS)
 		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
-	
-	if ((error = tag_valid_in_odb(&new_ref, ref_name, &tag.target, tag.type, repo, tag.tag_name)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
+
+	/* validate the target */
+	if ((error = git_odb_read(&target_obj, repo->db, &tag.target)) < GIT_SUCCESS)
 		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
+
+	if (tag.type != target_obj->raw.type)
+		return git__throw(error, "The type for the given target is invalid");
+
+	git_odb_object_close(target_obj);
 	
+	error = retreive_tag_reference(&new_ref, ref_name, repo, tag.tag_name);
+
+	switch (error) {
+		case GIT_SUCCESS:
+		case GIT_ENOTFOUND:
+			break;
+
+		default:
+			return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
+	}
+
+	/** Ensure the tag name doesn't conflict with an already existing
+	 *   reference unless overwriting has explictly been requested **/
 	if (new_ref != NULL) {
-		git_oid_cpy(oid, git_reference_oid(new_ref));
-		return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Tag already exists");
+		if (!allow_ref_overwrite) {
+			git_oid_cpy(oid, git_reference_oid(new_ref));
+			return git__throw(GIT_EEXISTS, "Tag already exists");
+		} else {
+			should_update_ref = 1;
+		}
 	}
 	
 	/* write the buffer */
@@ -340,9 +332,11 @@ int git_tag_create_frombuffer(git_oid *oid, git_repository *repo, const char *bu
 	
 	if (error < GIT_SUCCESS)
 		return git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
-	
-	
-	error = git_reference_create_oid(&new_ref, repo, ref_name, oid);
+
+	if (!should_update_ref)
+		error = git_reference_create_oid(&new_ref, repo, ref_name, oid, 0);
+	else
+		error = git_reference_set_oid(new_ref, oid);
 	
 	git_signature_free(tag.tagger);
 	free(tag.tag_name);
@@ -351,68 +345,6 @@ int git_tag_create_frombuffer(git_oid *oid, git_repository *repo, const char *bu
 	return error == GIT_SUCCESS ? GIT_SUCCESS : git__rethrow(error, "Failed to create tag");
 }
 
-int git_tag_create_o(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_object *target,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message)
-{
-	return tag_create(
-		oid, repo, tag_name, 
-		git_object_id(target),
-		git_object_type(target),
-		tagger, message, 0);
-}
-
-int git_tag_create(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_oid *target,
-		git_otype target_type,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message)
-{
-	return tag_create(
-		oid, repo, tag_name, 
-		target,
-		target_type,
-		tagger, message, 0);
-}
-
-int git_tag_create_fo(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_object *target,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message)
-{
-	return tag_create(
-		oid, repo, tag_name, 
-		git_object_id(target),
-		git_object_type(target),
-		tagger, message, 1);
-}
-
-int git_tag_create_f(
-		git_oid *oid,
-		git_repository *repo,
-		const char *tag_name,
-		const git_oid *target,
-		git_otype target_type,
-		const git_signature *tagger,
-		const char *message)
-{
-	return tag_create(
-		oid, repo, tag_name, 
-		target,
-		target_type,
-		tagger, message, 1);
-}
-
 int git_tag_delete(git_repository *repo, const char *tag_name)
 {
 	int error;
diff --git a/tests/t04-commit.c b/tests/t04-commit.c
index 0ae0cdf..b7e0afe 100644
--- a/tests/t04-commit.c
+++ b/tests/t04-commit.c
@@ -415,19 +415,21 @@ This is a commit created in memory and it will be written back to disk\n"
 
 static const char *tree_oid = "1810dff58d8a660512d4832e740f692884338ccd";
 
-
 BEGIN_TEST(write0, "write a new commit object from memory to disk")
 	git_repository *repo;
 	git_commit *commit;
 	git_oid tree_id, parent_id, commit_id;
 	const git_signature *author, *committer;
-	/* char hex_oid[41]; */
+	git_commit *parent;
+	git_tree *tree;
 
 	must_pass(git_repository_open(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
-
 	git_oid_fromstr(&tree_id, tree_oid);
+	must_pass(git_tree_lookup(&tree, repo, &tree_id));
+
 	git_oid_fromstr(&parent_id, commit_ids[4]);
+	must_pass(git_commit_lookup(&parent, repo, &parent_id));
 
 	/* create signatures */
 	committer = git_signature_new(COMMITTER_NAME, COMMITTER_EMAIL, 123456789, 60);
@@ -443,8 +445,11 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write0, "write a new commit object from memory to disk")
 		author,
 		committer,
 		COMMIT_MESSAGE,
-		&tree_id,
-		1, &parent_id));
+		tree,
+		1, parent));
+
+	git_object_close((git_object *)parent);
+	git_object_close((git_object *)tree);
 
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)committer);
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)author);
@@ -486,10 +491,12 @@ BEGIN_TEST(root0, "create a root commit")
 	const char *branch_name = "refs/heads/root-commit-branch";
 	git_reference *head, *branch;
 	char *head_old;
+	git_tree *tree;
 
 	must_pass(git_repository_open(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	git_oid_fromstr(&tree_id, tree_oid);
+	must_pass(git_tree_lookup(&tree, repo, &tree_id));
 
 	/* create signatures */
 	committer = git_signature_new(COMMITTER_NAME, COMMITTER_EMAIL, 123456789, 60);
@@ -513,9 +520,10 @@ BEGIN_TEST(root0, "create a root commit")
 		author,
 		committer,
 		ROOT_COMMIT_MESSAGE,
-		&tree_id,
+		tree,
 		0));
 
+	git_object_close((git_object *)tree);
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)committer);
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)author);
 
diff --git a/tests/t08-tag.c b/tests/t08-tag.c
index 48d48fe..64a939f 100644
--- a/tests/t08-tag.c
+++ b/tests/t08-tag.c
@@ -88,10 +88,12 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write0, "write a tag to the repository and read it again")
 	git_oid target_id, tag_id;
 	const git_signature *tagger;
 	git_reference *ref_tag;
+	git_object *target;
 
 	must_pass(git_repository_open(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	git_oid_fromstr(&target_id, tagged_commit);
+	must_pass(git_object_lookup(&target, repo, &target_id, GIT_OBJ_COMMIT));
 
 	/* create signature */
 	tagger = git_signature_new(TAGGER_NAME, TAGGER_EMAIL, 123456789, 60);
@@ -101,11 +103,12 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write0, "write a tag to the repository and read it again")
 		&tag_id, /* out id */
 		repo,
 		"the-tag",
-		&target_id,
-		GIT_OBJ_COMMIT,
+		target,
 		tagger,
-		TAGGER_MESSAGE));
+		TAGGER_MESSAGE,
+		0));
 
+	git_object_close(target);
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)tagger);
 
 	must_pass(git_tag_lookup(&tag, repo, &tag_id));
@@ -132,42 +135,16 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write0, "write a tag to the repository and read it again")
 
 END_TEST
 
-BEGIN_TEST(write1, "write a tag to the repository which points to an unknown oid should fail")
-	git_repository *repo;
-	git_oid target_id, tag_id;
-	const git_signature *tagger;
-
-	must_pass(git_repository_open(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
-
-	git_oid_fromstr(&target_id, "deadbeef1b46c854b31185ea97743be6a8774479");
-
-	/* create signature */
-	tagger = git_signature_new(TAGGER_NAME, TAGGER_EMAIL, 123456789, 60);
-	must_be_true(tagger != NULL);
-
-	must_fail(git_tag_create(
-		&tag_id, /* out id */
-		repo,
-		"the-zombie-tag",
-		&target_id,
-		GIT_OBJ_COMMIT,
-		tagger,
-		TAGGER_MESSAGE));
-
-	git_signature_free((git_signature *)tagger);
-
-	git_repository_free(repo);
-
-END_TEST
-
 BEGIN_TEST(write2, "Attempt to write a tag bearing the same name than an already existing tag")
 	git_repository *repo;
 	git_oid target_id, tag_id;
 	const git_signature *tagger;
+	git_object *target;
 
 	must_pass(git_repository_open(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	git_oid_fromstr(&target_id, tagged_commit);
+	must_pass(git_object_lookup(&target, repo, &target_id, GIT_OBJ_COMMIT));
 
 	/* create signature */
 	tagger = git_signature_new(TAGGER_NAME, TAGGER_EMAIL, 123456789, 60);
@@ -177,11 +154,12 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write2, "Attempt to write a tag bearing the same name than an already
 		&tag_id, /* out id */
 		repo,
 		"e90810b",
-		&target_id,
-		GIT_OBJ_COMMIT,
+		target,
 		tagger,
-		TAGGER_MESSAGE));
+		TAGGER_MESSAGE,
+		0));
 
+	git_object_close(target);
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)tagger);
 
 	git_repository_free(repo);
@@ -193,10 +171,12 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write3, "Replace an already existing tag")
 	git_oid target_id, tag_id, old_tag_id;
 	const git_signature *tagger;
 	git_reference *ref_tag;
+	git_object *target;
 
 	must_pass(open_temp_repo(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	git_oid_fromstr(&target_id, tagged_commit);
+	must_pass(git_object_lookup(&target, repo, &target_id, GIT_OBJ_COMMIT));
 
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref_tag, repo, "refs/tags/e90810b"));
 	git_oid_cpy(&old_tag_id, git_reference_oid(ref_tag));
@@ -205,15 +185,16 @@ BEGIN_TEST(write3, "Replace an already existing tag")
 	tagger = git_signature_new(TAGGER_NAME, TAGGER_EMAIL, 123456789, 60);
 	must_be_true(tagger != NULL);
 
-	must_pass(git_tag_create_f(
+	must_pass(git_tag_create(
 		&tag_id, /* out id */
 		repo,
 		"e90810b",
-		&target_id,
-		GIT_OBJ_COMMIT,
+		target,
 		tagger,
-		TAGGER_MESSAGE));
+		TAGGER_MESSAGE,
+		1));
 
+	git_object_close(target);
 	git_signature_free((git_signature *)tagger);
 
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref_tag, repo, "refs/tags/e90810b"));
@@ -242,7 +223,6 @@ BEGIN_SUITE(tag)
 	ADD_TEST(read0);
 	ADD_TEST(read1);
 	ADD_TEST(write0);
-	ADD_TEST(write1);
 	ADD_TEST(write2);
 	ADD_TEST(write3);
 	ADD_TEST(write4);
diff --git a/tests/t10-refs.c b/tests/t10-refs.c
index 5efe804..0ca30d0 100644
--- a/tests/t10-refs.c
+++ b/tests/t10-refs.c
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ BEGIN_TEST(create0, "create a new symbolic reference")
 	git__joinpath(ref_path, repo->path_repository, new_head_tracker);
 
 	/* Create and write the new symbolic reference */
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&new_reference, repo, new_head_tracker, current_head_target));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&new_reference, repo, new_head_tracker, current_head_target, 0));
 
 	/* Ensure the reference can be looked-up... */
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&looked_up_ref, repo, new_head_tracker));
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ BEGIN_TEST(create1, "create a deep symbolic reference")
 	must_pass(open_temp_repo(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	git__joinpath(ref_path, repo->path_repository, new_head_tracker);
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&new_reference, repo, new_head_tracker, current_head_target));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&new_reference, repo, new_head_tracker, current_head_target, 0));
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&looked_up_ref, repo, new_head_tracker));
 	must_pass(git_reference_resolve(&resolved_ref, looked_up_ref));
 	must_be_true(git_oid_cmp(&id, git_reference_oid(resolved_ref)) == 0);
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ BEGIN_TEST(create2, "create a new OID reference")
 	git__joinpath(ref_path, repo->path_repository, new_head);
 
 	/* Create and write the new object id reference */
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&new_reference, repo, new_head, &id));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&new_reference, repo, new_head, &id, 0));
 
 	/* Ensure the reference can be looked-up... */
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&looked_up_ref, repo, new_head));
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ BEGIN_TEST(create3, "Can not create a new OID reference which targets at an unkn
 	must_pass(git_repository_open(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	/* Create and write the new object id reference */
-	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&new_reference, repo, new_head, &id));
+	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&new_reference, repo, new_head, &id, 0));
 
 	/* Ensure the reference can't be looked-up... */
 	must_fail(git_reference_lookup(&looked_up_ref, repo, new_head));
@@ -329,16 +329,16 @@ BEGIN_TEST(overwrite0, "Overwrite an existing symbolic reference")
 	must_pass(open_temp_repo(&repo, REPOSITORY_FOLDER));
 
 	/* The target needds to exist and we need to check the name has changed */
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&branch_ref, repo, ref_branch_name, ref_master_name));
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_branch_name));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&branch_ref, repo, ref_branch_name, ref_master_name, 0));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_branch_name, 0));
 	/* Ensure it points to the right place*/
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, ref_name));
 	must_be_true(git_reference_type(ref) & GIT_REF_SYMBOLIC);
 	must_be_true(!strcmp(git_reference_target(ref), ref_branch_name));
 
 	/* Ensure we can't create it unless we force it to */
-	must_fail(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name));
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic_f(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name));
+	must_fail(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name, 0));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name, 1));
 
 	/* Ensure it points to the right place */
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, ref_name));
@@ -360,15 +360,15 @@ BEGIN_TEST(overwrite1, "Overwrite an existing object id reference")
 	git_oid_cpy(&id, git_reference_oid(ref));
 
 	/* Create it */
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id, 0));
 
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, ref_test_name));
 	must_be_true(ref->type & GIT_REF_OID);
 	git_oid_cpy(&id, git_reference_oid(ref));
 
 	/* Ensure we can't overwrite unless we force it */
-	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id));
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid_f(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id));
+	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id, 0));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id, 1));
 
 	/* Ensure it has been overwritten */
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, ref_name));
@@ -388,9 +388,9 @@ BEGIN_TEST(overwrite2, "Overwrite an existing object id reference with a symboli
 	must_be_true(ref->type & GIT_REF_OID);
 	git_oid_cpy(&id, git_reference_oid(ref));
 
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id));
-	must_fail(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name));
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic_f(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id, 0));
+	must_fail(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name, 0));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name, 1));
 
 	/* Ensure it points to the right place */
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, ref_name));
@@ -412,10 +412,10 @@ BEGIN_TEST(overwrite3, "Overwrite an existing symbolic reference with an object 
 	git_oid_cpy(&id, git_reference_oid(ref));
 
 	/* Create the symbolic ref */
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_symbolic(&ref, repo, ref_name, ref_master_name, 0));
 	/* It shouldn't overwrite unless we tell it to */
-	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id));
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid_f(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id));
+	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id, 0));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref, repo, ref_name, &id, 1));
 
 	/* Ensure it points to the right place */
 	must_pass(git_reference_lookup(&ref, repo, ref_name));
@@ -671,14 +671,14 @@ BEGIN_TEST(rename6, "can not overwrite name of existing reference")
 	git_oid_cpy(&id, git_reference_oid(ref));
 
 	/* Create loose references */
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref_one, repo, ref_one_name, &id));
-	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref_two, repo, ref_two_name, &id));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref_one, repo, ref_one_name, &id, 0));
+	must_pass(git_reference_create_oid(&ref_two, repo, ref_two_name, &id, 0));
 
 	/* Pack everything */
 	must_pass(git_reference_packall(repo));
 
 	/* Attempt to create illegal reference */
-	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&ref_one_new, repo, ref_one_name_new, &id));
+	must_fail(git_reference_create_oid(&ref_one_new, repo, ref_one_name_new, &id, 0));
 
 	/* Illegal reference couldn't be created so this is supposed to fail */
 	must_fail(git_reference_lookup(&ref_one_new, repo, ref_one_name_new));