How to Use the Command 'git commits-since' (with examples)
The git commits-since command is a powerful tool from the git-extras suite that allows developers to quickly retrieve a list of Git commits made since a specified time or date. This command is particularly useful for developers who want to track changes over specific periods, helping them to understand how their projects are evolving. Whether you’re looking to review recent work or garner insights for project retrospectives, git commits-since offers a streamlined way to access commit history efficiently.
Use Case 1: Display Commits Since Yesterday
Code:
git commits-since yesterday
Motivation: Developers often need to review changes made in the very recent past to get a clear understanding of recent development activity or to prepare for daily stand-up meetings. By checking commits since “yesterday,” developers can quickly catch up on what they or their teammates have done, ensuring everyone on the team is aligned.
Explanation: In this command, git commits-since fetches commits made after the midnight of the previous day. The term “yesterday” serves as a natural language shortcut for the date that is one day prior to today. This simplicity allows developers to swiftly obtain a list of relevant commits without having to manually calculate the exact date.
Example Output:
commit 5e1baceb412f
Author: John Doe <johndoe@example.com>
Date: Wed Oct 06 15:34:23 2023
Fix bug in authentication module
commit 4c3a1fc45d2a
Author: Jane Smith <janesmith@example.com>
Date: Wed Oct 06 12:05:47 2023
Update documentation for API endpoints
Use Case 2: Display Commits Since Last Week
Code:
git commits-since last week
Motivation: Reviewing commits from the past week helps teams conduct weekly retrospectives, analyze significant progress, and identify any blockers that may have occurred. This retrospective analysis enhances productivity by improving planning and aligning resources toward pending tasks.
Explanation: Using “last week” as an argument, this command retrieves all the commits made after the most recent Sunday. Many development teams start their workweek on Monday, making viewing changes since Sunday a logical choice for weekly reviews. This command automates the tedious process of manually calculating the starting point of the weekly review.
Example Output:
commit 9a72bf0f37da
Author: Alex Brown <alexbrown@example.com>
Date: Fri Oct 01 14:45:10 2023
Implement caching for improved performance
commit a81b423f91b0
Author: Sarah Lee <sarahlee@example.com>
Date: Thu Sep 30 11:16:34 2023
Refactor database connection logic
commit 732beaeccbd3
Author: Mike Davis <mikedavis@example.com>
Date: Mon Sep 27 09:58:34 2023
Add user roles functionality
Use Case 3: Display Commits Since Last Month
Code:
git commits-since last month
Motivation: A monthly review of commits allows developers to better understand long-term project trends and team output over an extended duration. This assessment is particularly useful for project managers and team leads who need insights into the pace and direction of the project development cycle for strategic planning.
Explanation: When “last month” is used as an argument, the command retrieves all the commits made since the first day of the previous calendar month. This provides a neatly outlined summary of the changes implemented over the past month, aiding in the formation of monthly status reports or presentations.
Example Output:
commit e01af3ea8d1f
Author: Lucy Young <lucyyoung@example.com>
Date: Tue Sep 17 10:30:56 2023
Design new UI for the login page
commit f34cd3ef91a0
Author: Robert White <robertwhite@example.com>
Date: Mon Sep 09 08:45:06 2023
Initial implementation of notification service
Use Case 4: Display Commits Since Yesterday 2pm
Code:
git commits-since yesterday 2pm
Motivation: Sometimes, development teams may need to track changes from a very specific time – perhaps to isolate changes made after a significant event or a development session. By specifying “yesterday 2pm,” a developer or team leader can effectively filter out commits made subsequent to a particular point in time for targeted analysis.
Explanation: This command variant allows for precise control over the retrieval time, capturing commits from 2pm the previous day onward. This granularity is useful for checking post-lunch work sessions or the progress after an important meeting or code merge.
Example Output:
commit b12fbdad827a
Author: Emma Wilson <emmawilson@example.com>
Date: Wed Oct 06 16:20:12 2023
Fix typo in README
commit 6f3d5abd923f
Author: Kevin Martin <kevinmartin@example.com>
Date: Wed Oct 06 14:10:42 2023
Add tests for payment gateway
Conclusion
The git commits-since command from the git-extras suite is an invaluable tool for developers looking to streamline the process of reviewing Git commit history. Its ease of use and natural language capabilities make it far superior to manually navigating through commit logs. With versatility to track changes from various points in time, this command empowers developers, project managers, and teams to remain informed about the project’s progression and make data-driven decisions to enhance development workflows.
