How to use the command git check-mailmap (with examples)

Git is a distributed version control system that allows multiple people to work on a project simultaneously without overwriting or losing each other’s changes. The git check-mailmap command is used to show the canonical names and email addresses of contacts. It can be used to look up the canonical name associated with an email address.

Use case 1: Look up the canonical name associated with an email address

Code:

git check-mailmap "<email@example.com>"

Motivation: The motivation behind using this example is to find the canonical name associated with a specific email address. This is useful when working collaboratively on a project, as it helps in identifying the author of a particular commit.

Explanation: The command git check-mailmap is followed by an email address in angle brackets. This email address is the one for which you want to find the associated canonical name. The angle brackets are required as it signifies that the argument is an email address.

Example output:

Full Name <email@example.com>

In this example, the output shows the canonical name as “Full Name” associated with the email address “email@example.com ”. This information can be used to attribute commits correctly and maintain a clear record of authorship.

Conclusion:

The git check-mailmap command is a useful tool for finding the canonical names and email addresses of contacts in a Git repository. It helps in identifying the author of a commit based on their email address and ensures accurate attribution of contributions. Using this command can enhance collaboration and maintain a clear record of authorship in Git projects.