How to use the command 'git paste' (with examples)

The git paste command is a handy tool from the git-extras suite that allows developers to send commits directly to a pastebin site using pastebinit. This functionality can be particularly useful for sharing commit patches with others for review or collaborative work. By leveraging pastebinit, git paste streamlines the process of sharing code snippets or patches, eliminating the need for manual copy-pasting or cumbersome email attachments. Below, we will explore two specific use cases of the git paste command: sending patches from the current branch to a pastebin and using specific git format-patch options to target different commits.

Use case 1: Send patches between the current branch and its upstream to a pastebin using pastebinit

Code:

git paste

Motivation:

There are times when a developer needs to quickly share changes made in the local branch with a colleague or a team member. This could be for purposes of code review, troubleshooting, or collaborative development. The git paste command allows you to easily create a patch of commits that exist on your current branch relative to its upstream branch and upload it to a pastebin. This can be invaluable when you need feedback or assistance and want to share your work with someone who may not have access to the project’s repository or when communication channels limit file sharing.

Explanation:

• git paste: This command extracts the commits present on your current HEAD relative to the upstream branch by using git format-patch and then sends them to a pastebin via pastebinit. By default, it assumes you are comparing the current branch with its upstream. It provides an automated way to capture and share the latest work done on a branch.

Example output:

The command might output a URL to a pastebin site where the patches have been uploaded, such as:

http://pastebin.com/abcd1234

This URL can then be easily shared with others for review or collaboration.

Use case 2: Pass options to git format-patch in order to select a different set of commits

Code:

git paste @^

Motivation:

Sometimes, more granular control is needed over which commits to share. You might not want to send all patches up to the upstream; instead, you only want to share specific commits, such as the immediate parent of the current HEAD. Doing so ensures that you are selectively sharing exactly the commits relevant to the discussion or project at hand, possibly avoiding noise from other unrelated changes. This use case is crucial when the reviewer’s focus needs to be on specific work units rather than the entire series of changes since the branch’s divergence from upstream.

Explanation:

• @^: The @^ syntax is used to specify the immediate parent of the HEAD. In git, @ symbol is shorthand for HEAD, so @^ shifts focus to the previous commit in the history, before the current one. Here, it serves to instruct git format-patch to generate a patch only for the commit immediately preceding the currently checked-out commit.

Example output:

Similar to the first use case, executing this command would yield a pastebin URL corresponding to the specific commit patch. For instance:

http://pastebin.com/xyz9876

The linked content would contain the formatted patch of the commit just before the current HEAD.

Conclusion:

The git paste command is an excellent utility for developers needing to share code changes easily and efficiently. By interfacing with pastebinit, it automates the process of committing patches to a shareable platform, which enhances collaboration within teams. Understanding and utilizing the command’s options to specify particular commit ranges enriches its versatility, allowing developers precise control over the information they share. Whether you are pulling patches from your most recent branch work or delving into granular details of prior commits, git paste offers a streamlined solution for sharing git patches with others.