Git Log

Git's git log command is a powerful tool for examining the commit history of a repository.We'll dive into the various ways you can use git log to explore the commit history specifically for branches. Understanding how to navigate and analyze branch-specific history is crucial for gaining insights into the development timeline and understanding how branches have evolved over time.

1. Viewing the Commit History of a Specific Branch:

To see the commit history of a specific branch, use the following command:

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git log branch-name

Replace branch-name with the name of the branch you're interested in. This command displays the commit messages, authors, and timestamps for the specified branch.

2. Displaying a Graphical Representation:

Enhance your understanding of branch history by visualizing it as a graph. Use the --graph option:

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git log --graph --oneline --all

This command shows a compact, one-line representation of commits, branches, and merges.

3. Filtering Commits by Author:

If you want to see only the commits made by a specific author in a branch, use the --author option:

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git log --author="John Doe" branch-name

Replace "John Doe" with the author's name.

4. Limiting the Number of Commits Displayed:

When dealing with long commit histories, limit the number of displayed commits using the -n option:

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git log -n 5 branch-name

This shows only the latest 5 commits in the specified branch.

5. Displaying Commit Details:

To view detailed information about each commit, use the --stat option:

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git log --stat branch-name

This includes the files that were modified, added, or deleted in each commit.

6. Showing Commit Differences:

To see the actual changes made in each commit, use the -p option:

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git log -p branch-name

This command displays the full diff for each commit, providing a comprehensive view of the changes made.

7. Time-Based Filtering:

Filter commits based on a specific time range using the --since and --until options:

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git log --since="2022-01-01" --until="2022-12-31" branch-name

This helps narrow down the commit history to a particular timeframe.

8. Following Branch History Across Merges:

Include merge commits in the log to see how branches have been integrated:

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git log --merges branch-name

This highlights merge commits, giving you insights into the integration points of branches.

9. Displaying Only Merge Commits:

To view only merge commits without individual commits, use the --merges option:

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git log --merges --oneline branch-name

This simplifies the log to focus on merge events.

10. Custom Formatting:

Customize the output format of git log using the --pretty option. For example, display each commit on one line:

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git log --pretty=oneline branch-name

Experiment with different formatting options to suit your preferences.