This tutorial covers how to add a new command to Git and, in the process, everything from cloning git/git to getting reviewed on the mailing list. It's meant for new contributors to go through interactively, learning the techniques generally used by the git/git development community. Signed-off-by: Emily Shaffer <emilyshaffer@xxxxxxxxxx> --- Notable changes in v3: - Changed document name from MyFirstContribution to MyFirstContribution.txt; this reduced the changes to Makefile and eliminated changes to .gitignore. - git send-email section now uses the --cover-letter argument to format-patch, and explains single-patch emails - Reworked summary of engaging in code review, moving to its own section "Responding To Reviews" - "Now What?" section now explains when to make a new commit vs when to modify existing commit Other smaller file-wide changes: - Expanded use of "doc" ; reworded references to "lab" and "codelab" - Added $ prompts to bash snippets - monospaced things that should be but weren't Documentation/Makefile | 1 + Documentation/MyFirstContribution.txt | 1065 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 1066 insertions(+) create mode 100644 Documentation/MyFirstContribution.txt diff --git a/Documentation/Makefile b/Documentation/Makefile index 26a2342bea..fddc3c3c95 100644 --- a/Documentation/Makefile +++ b/Documentation/Makefile @@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ API_DOCS = $(patsubst %.txt,%,$(filter-out technical/api-index-skel.txt technica SP_ARTICLES += $(API_DOCS) TECH_DOCS += SubmittingPatches +TECH_DOCS += MyFirstContribution TECH_DOCS += technical/hash-function-transition TECH_DOCS += technical/http-protocol TECH_DOCS += technical/index-format diff --git a/Documentation/MyFirstContribution.txt b/Documentation/MyFirstContribution.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..d9bed013fc --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/MyFirstContribution.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1065 @@ +My First Contribution to the Git Project +======================================== + +== Summary + +This is a tutorial demonstrating the end-to-end workflow of creating a change to +the Git tree, sending it for review, and making changes based on comments. + +=== Prerequisites + +This tutorial assumes you're already fairly familiar with using Git to manage +source code. The Git workflow steps will largely remain unexplained. + +=== Related Reading + +This tutorial aims to summarize the following documents, but the reader may find +useful additional context: + +- `Documentation/SubmittingPatches` +- `Documentation/howto/new-command.txt` + +== Getting Started + +=== Pull the Git codebase + +Git is mirrored in a number of locations. https://git-scm.com/downloads +suggests one of the best places to clone from is GitHub. + +---- +$ git clone https://github.com/git/git git +---- + +=== Identify Problem to Solve + +//// +Use + to indicate fixed-width here; couldn't get ` to work nicely with the +quotes around "Pony Saying 'Um, Hello'". +//// +In this tutorial, we will add a new command, +git psuh+, short for ``Pony Saying +`Um, Hello''' - a feature which has gone unimplemented despite a high frequency +of invocation during users' typical daily workflow. + +(We've seen some other effort in this space with the implementation of popular +commands such as `sl`.) + +=== Set Up Your Workspace + +Let's start by making a development branch to work on our changes. Per +`Documentation/SubmittingPatches`, since a brand new command is a new feature, +it's fine to base your work on `master`. However, in the future for bugfixes, +etc., you should check that document and base it on the appropriate branch. + +For the purposes of this document, we will base all our work on the `master` +branch of the upstream project. Create the `psuh` branch you will use for +development like so: + +---- +$ git checkout -b psuh origin/master +---- + +We'll make a number of commits here in order to demonstrate how to send a topic +with multiple patches up for review simultaneously. + +== Code It Up! + +NOTE: A reference implementation can be found at +https://github.com/nasamuffin/git/tree/psuh. + +=== Adding a new command + +Lots of the subcommands are written as builtins, which means they are +implemented in C and compiled into the main `git` executable. Implementing the +very simple `psuh` command as a built-in will demonstrate the structure of the +codebase, the internal API, and the process of working together as a contributor +with the reviewers and maintainer to integrate this change into the system. + +Built-in subcommands are typically implemented in a function named "cmd_" +followed by the name of the subcommand, in a source file named after the +subcommand and contained within `builtin/`. So it makes sense to implement your +command in `builtin/psuh.c`. Create that file, and within it, write the entry +point for your command in a function matching the style and signature: + +---- +int cmd_psuh(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix) +---- + +We'll also need to add the extern declaration of psuh; open up `builtin.h`, +find the declaration for `cmd_push`, and add a new line for `psuh` immediately +before it, in order to keep the declarations sorted: + +---- +extern int cmd_psuh(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix); +---- + +Be sure to `#include "builtin.h"` in your `psuh.c`. + +Go ahead and add some throwaway printf to that function. This is a decent +starting point as we can now add build rules and register the command. + +NOTE: Your throwaway text, as well as much of the text you will be adding over +the course of this tutorial, is user-facing. That means it needs to be +localizable. Take a look at `po/README` under "Marking strings for translation". +Throughout the tutorial, we will mark strings for translation as necessary; you +should also do so when writing your user-facing commands in the future. + +---- +int cmd_psuh(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix) +{ + printf(_("Pony saying hello goes here.\n")); + return 0; +} +---- + +Let's try to build it. Open `Makefile`, find where `builtin/push.o` is added +to `BUILTIN_OBJS`, and add `builtin/psuh.o` in the same way next to it in +alphabetical order. Once you've done so, move to the top-level directory and +build simply with `make`. Also add the `DEVELOPER=1` variable to turn on +some additional warnings: + +---- +$ echo DEVELOPER=1 >config.mak +$ make +---- + +NOTE: When you are developing the Git project, it's preferred that you use the +`DEVELOPER flag`; if there's some reason it doesn't work for you, you can turn +it off, but it's a good idea to mention the problem to the mailing list. + +NOTE: The Git build is parallelizable. `-j#` is not included above but you can +use it as you prefer, here and elsewhere. + +Great, now your new command builds happily on its own. But nobody invokes it. +Let's change that. + +The list of commands lives in `git.c`. We can register a new command by adding +a `cmd_struct` to the `commands[]` array. `struct cmd_struct` takes a string +with the command name, a function pointer to the command implementation, and a +setup option flag. For now, let's keep cheating off of `push`. Find the line +where `cmd_push` is registered, copy it, and modify it for `cmd_psuh`, placing +the new line in alphabetical order. + +The options are documented in `builtin.h` under "Adding a new built-in." Since +we hope to print some data about the user's current workspace context later, +we need a Git directory, so choose `RUN_SETUP` as your only option. + +Go ahead and build again. You should see a clean build, so let's kick the tires +and see if it works. There's a binary you can use to test with in the +`bin-wrappers` directory. + +---- +$ ./bin-wrappers/git psuh +---- + +Check it out! You've got a command! Nice work! Let's commit this. + +---- +$ git add Makefile builtin.h builtin/psuh.c git.c +$ git commit -s +---- + +You will be presented with your editor in order to write a commit message. Start +the commit with a 50-column or less subject line, including the name of the +component you're working on. Remember to be explicit and provide the "Why" of +your change, especially if it couldn't easily be understood from your diff. When +editing your commit message, don't remove the Signed-off-by line which was added +by `-s` above. + +---- +psuh: add a built-in by popular demand + +Internal metrics indicate this is a command many users expect to be +present. So here's an implementation to help drive customer +satisfaction and engagement: a pony which doubtfully greets the user, +or, a Pony Saying "Um, Hello" (PSUH). + +This commit message is intentionally formatted to 72 columns per line, +starts with a single line as "commit message subject" that is written as +if to command the codebase to do something (add this, teach a command +that). The body of the message is designed to add information about the +commit that is not readily deduced from reading the associated diff, +such as answering the question "why?". + +Signed-off-by: A U Thor <author@xxxxxxxxxxx> +---- + +Go ahead and inspect your new commit with `git show`. "psuh:" indicates you +have modified mainly the `psuh` command. The subject line gives readers an idea +of what you've changed. The sign-off line (`-s`) indicates that you agree to +the Developer's Certificate of Origin 1.1 (see the +`Documentation/SubmittingPatches` +++[[dco]]+++ header). If you wish to add some +context to your change, go ahead with `git commit --amend`. + +For the remainder of the tutorial, the subject line only will be listed for the +sake of brevity. However, fully-fleshed example commit messages are available +on the reference implementation linked at the top of this document. + +=== Implementation + +It's probably useful to do at least something besides printing out a string. +Let's start by having a look at everything we get. + +Modify your `cmd_psuh` implementation to dump the args you're passed: + +---- + int i; + + ... + + printf(Q_("Your args (there is %d):\n", + "Your args (there are %d):\n", + argc), + argc); + for (i = 0; i < argc; i++) { + printf("%d: %s\n", i, argv[i]); + } + printf(_("Your current working directory:\n<top-level>%s%s\n"), + prefix ? "/" : "", prefix ? prefix : ""); + +---- + +Build and try it. As you may expect, there's pretty much just whatever we give +on the command line, including the name of our command. (If `prefix` is empty +for you, try `cd Documentation/ && ../bin-wrappers/git/ psuh`). That's not so +helpful. So what other context can we get? + +Add a line to `#include "config.h"`. Then, add the following bits to the +function body: + +---- + const char *cfg_name; + +... + + git_config(git_default_config, NULL) + if (git_config_get_string_const("user.name", &cfg_name) > 0) + { + printf(_("No name is found in config\n")); + } + else + { + printf(_("Your name: %s\n"), cfg_name); + } +---- + +`git_config()` will grab the configuration from config files known to Git and +apply standard precedence rules. `git_config_get_string_const()` will look up +a specific key ("user.name") and give you the value. There are a number of +single-key lookup functions like this one; you can see them all (and more info +about how to use `git_config()`) in `Documentation/technical/api-config.txt`. + +You should see that the name printed matches the one you see when you run: + +---- +$ git config --get user.name +---- + +Great! Now we know how to check for values in the Git config. Let's commit this +too, so we don't lose our progress. + +---- +$ git add builtin/psuh.c +$ git commit -sm "psuh: show parameters & config opts" +---- + +NOTE: Again, the above is for sake of brevity in this tutorial. In a real change +you should not use `-m` but instead use the editor to write a verbose message. + +Still, it'd be nice to know what the user's working context is like. Let's see +if we can print the name of the user's current branch. We can cheat off of the +`git status` implementation; the printer is located in `wt-status.c` and we can +see that the branch is held in a `struct wt_status`. + +`wt_status_print()` gets invoked by `cmd_status()` in `builtin/commit.c`. +Looking at that implementation we see the status config being populated like so: + +---- +status_init_config(&s, git_status_config); +---- + +But as we drill down, we can find that `status_init_config()` wraps a call +to `git_config()`. Let's modify the code we wrote in the previous commit. + +Be sure to include the header to allow you to use `struct wt_status`: +---- +#include "wt-status.h" +---- + +Then modify your `cmd_psuh` implementation to declare your `struct wt_status`, +prepare it, and print its contents: + +---- + struct wt_status status; + +... + + wt_status_prepare(the_repository, &status); + git_config(git_default_config, &status); + +... + + printf(_("Your current branch: %s\n"), status.branch); +---- + +Run it again. Check it out - here's the (verbose) name of your current branch! + +Let's commit this as well. + +---- +$ git commit -sm "psuh: print the current branch" +---- + +Now let's see if we can get some info about a specific commit. + +Luckily, there are some helpers for us here. `commit.h` has a function called +`lookup_commit_reference_by_name` to which we can simply provide a hardcoded +string; `pretty.h` has an extremely handy `pp_commit_easy()` call which doesn't +require a full format object to be passed. + +Add the following includes: + +---- +#include "commit.h" +#include "pretty.h" +---- + +Then, add the following lines within your implementation of `cmd_psuh()` near +the declarations and the logic, respectively. + +---- + struct commit *c = NULL; + struct strbuf commitline = STRBUF_INIT; + +... + + c = lookup_commit_reference_by_name("origin/master"); + + if (c != NULL) { + pp_commit_easy(CMIT_FMT_ONELINE, c, &commitline); + printf(_("Current commit: %s\n"), commitline.buf); + } +---- + +The `struct strbuf` provides some safety belts to your basic `char*`, one of +which is a length member to prevent buffer overruns. It needs to be initialized +nicely with `STRBUF_INIT`. Keep it in mind when you need to pass around `char*`. + +`lookup_commit_reference_by_name` resolves the name you pass it, so you can play +with the value there and see what kind of things you can come up with. + +`pp_commit_easy` is a convenience wrapper in `pretty.h` that takes a single +format enum shorthand, rather than an entire format struct. It then +pretty-prints the commit according to that shorthand. These are similar to the +formats available with `--pretty=FOO` in many Git commands. + +Build it and run, and if you're using the same name in the example, you should +see the subject line of the most recent commit in `origin/master` that you know +about. Neat! Let's commit that as well. + +---- +$ git commit -sm "psuh: display the top of origin/master" +---- + +=== Adding documentation + +Awesome! You've got a fantastic new command that you're ready to share with the +community. But hang on just a minute - this isn't very user-friendly. Run the +following: + +---- +$ ./bin-wrappers/git help psuh +---- + +Your new command is undocumented! Let's fix that. + +Take a look at `Documentation/git-*.txt`. These are the manpages for the +subcommands that Git knows about. You can open these up and take a look to get +acquainted with the format, but then go ahead and make a new file +`Documentation/git-psuh.txt`. Like with most of the documentation in the Git +project, help pages are written with AsciiDoc (see CodingGuidelines, "Writing +Documentation" section). Use the following template to fill out your own +manpage: + +// Surprisingly difficult to embed AsciiDoc source within AsciiDoc. +[listing] +.... +git-psuh(1) +=========== + +NAME +---- +git-psuh - Delight users' typo with a shy horse + + +SYNOPSIS +-------- +[verse] +'git-psuh' + +DESCRIPTION +----------- +... + +OPTIONS[[OPTIONS]] +------------------ +... + +OUTPUT +------ +... + + +GIT +--- +Part of the linkgit:git[1] suite +.... + +The most important pieces of this to note are the file header, underlined by =, +the NAME section, and the SYNOPSIS, which would normally contain the grammar if +your command took arguments. Try to use well-established manpage headers so your +documentation is consistent with other Git and UNIX manpages; this makes life +easier for your user, who can skip to the section they know contains the +information they need. + +Now that you've written your manpage, you'll need to build it explicitly. We +convert your AsciiDoc to troff which is man-readable like so: + +---- +$ make all doc +$ man Documentation/git-psuh.1 +---- + +or + +---- +$ make -C Documentation/git-psuh.1 +$ man Documentation/git-psuh.1 +---- + +NOTE: You may need to install the package `asciidoc` to get this to work. + +While this isn't as satisfying as running through `git help`, you can at least +check that your help page looks right. + +You can also check that the documentation coverage is good (that is, the project +sees that your command has been implemented as well as documented) by running +`make check-docs` from the top-level. + +Go ahead and commit your new documentation change. + +=== Adding usage text + +Try and run `./bin-wrappers/git psuh -h`. Your command should crash at the end. +That's because `-h` is a special case which your command should handle by +printing usage. + +Take a look at `Documentation/technical/api-parse-options.txt`. This is a handy +tool for pulling out options you need to be able to handle, and it takes a +usage string. + +In order to use it, we'll need to prepare a NULL-terminated usage string and a +`builtin_psuh_options` array. Add a line to `#include "parse-options.h"`. + +At global scope, add your usage: + +---- +static const char * const psuh_usage[] = { + N_("git psuh"), + NULL, +}; +---- + +Then, within your `cmd_psuh()` implementation, we can declare and populate our +`option` struct. Ours is pretty boring but you can add more to it if you want to +explore `parse_options()` in more detail: + +---- + struct option options[] = { + OPT_END() + }; +---- + +Finally, before you print your args and prefix, add the call to +`parse-options()`: + +---- + argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, options, psuh_usage, 0); +---- + +This call will modify your `argv` parameter. It will strip the options you +specified in `options` from `argv` and the locations pointed to from `options` +entries will be updated. Be sure to replace your `argc` with the result from +`parse_options()`, or you will be confused if you try to parse `argv` later. + +It's worth noting the special argument `--`. As you may be aware, many Unix +commands use `--` to indicate "end of named parameters" - all parameters after +the `--` are interpreted merely as positional arguments. (This can be handy if +you want to pass as a parameter something which would usually be interpreted as +a flag.) `parse_options()` will terminate parsing when it reaches `--` and give +you the rest of the options afterwards, untouched. + +Build again. Now, when you run with `-h`, you should see your usage printed and +your command terminated before anything else interesting happens. Great! + +Go ahead and commit this one, too. + +== Testing + +It's important to test your code - even for a little toy command like this one. +Moreover, your patch won't be accepted into the Git tree without tests. Your +tests should: + +* Illustrate the current behavior of the feature +* Prove the current behavior matches the expected behavior +* Ensure the externally-visible behavior isn't broken in later changes + +So let's write some tests. + +Related reading: `t/README` + +=== Overview of Testing Structure + +The tests in Git live in `t/` and are named with a 4-decimal digit, according to +the schema shown in the Naming Tests section of `t/README`. + +=== Writing Your Test + +Since this a toy command, let's go ahead and name the test with t9999. However, +as many of the family/subcmd combinations are full, best practice seems to be +to find a command close enough to the one you've added and share its naming +space. + +Create your test script and mark it executable: + +---- +$ touch t/t9999-psuh-tutorial.sh +$ chmod +x t/t9999-psuh-tutorial.sh +---- + +Begin with the header as so (see +"Writing Tests" and "Source 'test-lib.sh'" in `t/README`): + +---- +#!/bin/sh + +test_description='git-psuh test + +This test runs git-psuh and makes sure it does not crash.' + +. ./test-lib.sh +---- + +Tests are framed inside of a `test_expect_success` in order to output TAP +formatted results. Let's make sure that `git psuh` doesn't exit poorly and does +mention the right animal somewhere: + +---- +test_expect_success 'runs correctly with no args and good output' ' + git psuh >actual && + test_i18ngrep Pony actual +' +---- + +Indicate that you've run everything you wanted by adding the following at the +bottom of your script: + +---- +test_done +---- + +You can get an idea of whether you created your new test script successfully +by running `make -C t test-lint`, which will check for things like test number +uniqueness, executable bit, and so on. + +=== Running Locally + +Let's try and run locally: + +---- +$ make +$ cd t/ && prove t9999-psuh-tutorial.sh +---- + +You can run the full test suite and ensure `git-psuh` didn't break anything: + +---- +$ cd t/ +$ prove -j$(nproc) --shuffle t[0-9]*.sh +---- + +NOTE: You can also do this with `make test` or use any testing harness which can +speak TAP. `prove` can run concurrently. `shuffle` randomizes the order the +tests are run in, which makes them resilient against unwanted inter-test +dependencies. `prove` also makes the output nicer. + +Go ahead and commit this change, as well. + +== Getting Ready to Share + +You may have noticed already that the Git project performs its code reviews via +emailed patches, which are then applied by the maintainer when they are ready +and approved by the community. The Git project does not accept patches from +pull requests, and the patches emailed for review need to be formatted a +specific way. At this point the tutorial diverges, in order to demonstrate two +different methods of formatting your patchset and getting it reviewed. + +The first method to be covered is GitGitGadget, which is useful for those +already familiar with GitHub's common pull request workflow. This method +requires a GitHub account. + +The second method to be covered is `git send-email`, which can give slightly +more fine-grained control over the emails to be sent. This method requires some +setup which can change depending on your system and will not be covered in this +tutorial. + +Regardless of which method you choose, your engagement with reviewers will be +the same; the review process will be covered after the sections on GitGitGadget +and `git send-email`. + +== Sending Patches via GitGitGadget + +One option for sending patches is to follow a typical pull request workflow and +send your patches out via GitGitGadget. GitGitGadget is a tool created by +Johannes Schindelin to make life as a Git contributor easier for those used to +the GitHub PR workflow. It allows contributors to open pull requests against its +mirror of the Git project, and does some magic to turn the PR into a set of +emails and sent them out for you. It also runs the Git continuous integration +suite for you. It's documented at http://gitgitgadget.github.io. + +=== Forking git/git on GitHub + +Before you can send your patch off to be reviewed using GitGitGadget, you will +need to fork the Git project and upload your changes. First thing - make sure +you have a GitHub account. + +Head to the https://github.com/git/git[GitHub mirror] and look for the Fork +button. Place your fork wherever you deem appropriate and create it. + +=== Uploading To Your Own Fork + +To upload your branch to your own fork, you'll need to add the new fork as a +remote. You can use `git remote -v` to show the remotes you have added already. +From your new fork's page on GitHub, you can press "Clone or download" to get +the URL; then you need to run the following to add, replacing your own URL and +remote name for the examples provided: + +---- +$ git remote add remotename git@xxxxxxxxxx:remotename/git.git +---- + +or to use the HTTPS URL: + +---- +$ git remote add remotename https://github.com/remotename/git/.git +---- + +Run `git remote -v` again and you should see the new remote showing up. +`git fetch remotename` (with the real name of your remote replaced) in order to +get ready to push. + +Next, double-check that you've been doing all your development in a new branch +by running `git branch`. If you didn't, now is a good time to move your new +commits to their own branch. + +As mentioned briefly at the beginning of this document, we are basing our work +on `master`, so go ahead and update as shown below, or using your preferred +workflow. + +---- +$ git checkout master +$ git pull -r +$ git rebase master psuh +---- + +Finally, you're ready to push your new topic branch! (Due to our branch and +command name choices, be careful when you type the command below.) + +---- +$ git push remotename psuh +---- + +Now you should be able to go and check out your newly created branch on GitHub. + +=== Sending a PR to GitGitGadget + +In order to have your code tested and formatted for review, you need to start by +opening a Pull Request against `gitgitgadget/git`. Head to +https://github.com/gitgitgadget/git and open a PR either with the "New pull +request" button or the convenient "Compare & pull request" button that may +appear with the name of your newly pushed branch. + +Review the PR's title and description, as it's used by GitGitGadget as the cover +letter for your change. When you're happy, submit your pull request. + +=== Running CI and Getting Ready to Send + +If it's your first time using GitGitGadget (which is likely, as you're using +this tutorial) then someone will need to give you permission to use the tool. +As mentioned in the GitGitGadget documentation, you just need someone who +already uses it to comment on your PR with `/allow <username>`. GitGitGadget +will automatically run your PRs through the CI even without the permission given +but you will not be able to `/submit` your changes until someone allows you to +use the tool. + +If the CI fails, you can update your changes with `git rebase -i` and push your +branch again: + +---- +$ git push -f remotename psuh +---- + +In fact, you should continue to make changes this way up until the point when +your patch is accepted into `next`. + +//// +TODO https://github.com/gitgitgadget/gitgitgadget/issues/83 +It'd be nice to be able to verify that the patch looks good before sending it +to everyone on Git mailing list. +=== Check Your Work +//// + +=== Sending Your Patches + +Now that your CI is passing and someone has granted you permission to use +GitGitGadget with the `/allow` command, sending out for review is as simple as +commenting on your PR with `/submit`. + +=== Updating With Comments + +Skip ahead to <<reviewing,Responding to Reviews>> for information on how to +reply to review comments you will receive on the mailing list. + +Once you have your branch again in the shape you want following all review +comments, you can submit again: + +---- +$ git push -f remotename psuh +---- + +Next, go look at your pull request against GitGitGadget; you should see the CI +has been kicked off again. Now while the CI is running is a good time for you +to modify your description at the top of the pull request thread; it will be +used again as the cover letter. You should use this space to describe what +has changed since your previous version, so that your reviewers have some idea +of what they're looking at. When the CI is done running, you can comment once +more with `/submit` - GitGitGadget will automatically add a v2 mark to your +changes. + +== Sending Patches with `git send-email` + +If you don't want to use GitGitGadget, you can also use Git itself to mail your +patches. Some benefits of using Git this way include finer grained control of +subject line (for example, being able to use the tag [RFC PATCH] in the subject) +and being able to send a ``dry run'' mail to yourself to ensure it all looks +good before going out to the list. + +=== Prerequisite: Setting Up `git send-email` + +Configuration for `send-email` can vary based on your operating system and email +provider, and so will not be covered in this tutorial, beyond stating that in +many distributions of Linux, `git-send-email` is not packaged alongside the +typical `git` install. You may need to install this additional package; there +are a number of resources online to help you do so. You will also need to +determine the right way to configure it to use your SMTP server; again, as this +configuration can change significantly based on your system and email setup, it +is out of scope for the context of this tutorial. + +=== Preparing initial patchset + +Sending emails with Git is a two-part process; before you can prepare the emails +themselves, you'll need to prepare the patches. Luckily, this is pretty simple: + +---- +$ git format-patch --cover-letter -o psuh/ master..psuh +---- + +The `--cover-letter` parameter tells `format-patch` to create a cover letter +template for you. You will need to fill in the template before you're ready +to send - but for now, the template will be next to your other patches. + +The `-o psuh/` parameter tells `format-patch` to place the patch files into a +directory. This is useful because `git send-email` can take a directory and +send out all the patches from there. + +`master..psuh` tells `format-patch` to generate patches for the difference +between `master` and `psuh`. It will make one patch file per commit. After you +run, you can go have a look at each of the patches with your favorite text +editor and make sure everything looks alright; however, it's not recommended to +make code fixups via the patch file. It's a better idea to make the change the +normal way using `git rebase -i` or by adding a new commit than by modifying a +patch. + +NOTE: Optionally, you can also use the `--rfc` flag to prefix your patch subject +with ``[RFC PATCH]'' instead of ``[PATCH]''. RFC stands for ``request for +comments'' and indicates that while your code isn't quite ready for submission, +you'd like to begin the code review process. This can also be used when your +patch is a proposal, but you aren't sure whether the community wants to solve +the problem with that approach or not - to conduct a sort of design review. You +may also see on the list patches marked ``WIP'' - this means they are incomplete +but want reviewers to look at what they have so far. You can add this flag with +`--subject-prefix=WIP`. + +Check and make sure that your patches and cover letter template exist in the +directory you specified - you're nearly ready to send out your review! + +=== Preparing email + +In addition to an email per patch, the Git community also expects your patches +to come with a cover letter, typically with a subject line [PATCH 0/x] (where +x is the number of patches you're sending). Since you invoked `format-patch` +with `--cover-letter`, you've already got a template ready. Open it up in your +favorite editor. + +You should see a number of headers present already. Check that your `From:` +header is correct. Then modify your `Subject:` to something which succinctly +covers the purpose of your entire topic branch, for example: + +---- +Subject: [PATCH 0/7] adding the 'psuh' command +---- + +Make sure you retain the ``[PATCH 0/X]'' part; that's what indicates to the Git +community that this email is the beginning of a review, and many reviewers +filter their email for this type of flag. + +You'll need to add some extra +parameters when you invoke `git send-email` to add the cover letter. + +Next you'll have to fill out the body of your cover letter. This is an important +component of change submission as it explains to the community from a high level +what you're trying to do, and why, in a way that's more apparent than just +looking at your diff. Be sure to explain anything your diff doesn't make clear +on its own. + +Here's an example body for `psuh`: + +---- +Our internal metrics indicate widespread interest in the command +git-psuh - that is, many users are trying to use it, but finding it is +unavailable, using some unknown workaround instead. + +The following handful of patches add the psuh command and implement some +handy features on top of it. + +This patchset is part of the MyFirstContribution tutorial and should not +be merged. +---- + +The template created by `git format-patch --cover-letter` includes a diffstat. +This gives reviewers a summary of what they're in for when reviewing your topic. +The one generated for `psuh` from the sample implementation looks like this: + +---- + Documentation/git-psuh.txt | 40 +++++++++++++++++++++ + Makefile | 1 + + builtin.h | 1 + + builtin/psuh.c | 73 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + git.c | 1 + + t/t9999-psuh-tutorial.sh | 12 +++++++ + 6 files changed, 128 insertions(+) + create mode 100644 Documentation/git-psuh.txt + create mode 100644 builtin/psuh.c + create mode 100755 t/t9999-psuh-tutorial.sh +---- + +Finally, the letter will include the version of Git used to generate the +patches. You can leave that string alone. + +=== Sending email + +At this point you should have a directory `psuh/` which is filled with your +patches and a cover letter. Time to mail it out! You can send it like this: + +---- +$ git send-email --to=target@xxxxxxxxxxx +---- + +NOTE: Check `git help send-email` for some other options which you may find +valuable, such as changing the Reply-to address or adding more CC and BCC lines. + +NOTE: When you are sending a real patch, it will go to git@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - but +please don't send your patchset from the tutorial to the real mailing list! For +now, you can send it to yourself, to make sure you understand how it will look. + +After you run the command above, you will be presented with an interactive +prompt for each patch that's about to go out. This gives you one last chance to +edit or quit sending something (but again, don't edit code this way). Once you +press `y` or `a` at these prompts your emails will be sent! Congratulations! + +Awesome, now the community will drop everything and review your changes. (Just +kidding - be patient!) + +=== Sending v2 + +Skip ahead to <<reviewing,Responding to Reviews>> for information on how to +handle comments from reviewers. Continue this section when your topic branch is +shaped the way you want it to look for your patchset v2. + +When you're ready with the next iteration of your patch, the process is fairly +similar. + +First, generate your v2 patches again: + +---- +$ git format-patch -v2 --cover-letter -o psuh/ master..psuh +---- + +This will add your v2 patches, all named like `v2-000n-my-commit-subject.patch`, +to the `psuh/` directory. You may notice that they are sitting alongside the v1 +patches; that's fine, but be careful when you are ready to send them. + +Edit your cover letter again. Now is a good time to mention what's different +between your last version and now, if it's something significant. You do not +need the exact same body in your second cover letter; focus on explaining to +reviewers the changes you've made that may not be as visible. + +You will also need to go and find the Message-Id of your previous cover letter. +You can either note it when you send the first series, from the output of `git +send-email`, or you can look it up on the +https://public-inbox.org/git[mailing list]. Find your cover letter in the +archives, click on it, and check the URL. It should match: + +---- +https://public-inbox.org/git/foo.12345.author@xxxxxxxxxxx/other/junk +---- + +Your Message-Id is `foo.12345.author@xxxxxxxxxxx`. This example will be used +below as well; make sure to replace it with the correct Message-Id for your +**previous cover letter** - that is, if you're sending v2, use the Message-Id +from v1; if you're sending v3, use the Message-Id from v2. + +Now send the emails again, paying close attention to which messages you pass in +to the command: + +---- +$ git send-email --to=target@xxxxxxxxxxx + --in-reply-to=foo.12345.author@xxxxxxxxxxx +---- + +=== Bonus Chapter: One-Patch Changes + +In some cases, your very small change may consist of only one patch. When that +happens, you only need to send one email. Your commit message should already be +verbose, but if you need to supply even more context, you can do so below the +`---` in your patch. Take the example below, generated with `git format-patch` +on a single commit: + +---- +From 1345bbb3f7ac74abde040c12e737204689a72723 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 +From: A U Thor <author@xxxxxxxxxxx> +Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2019 15:11:02 -0700 +Subject: [PATCH] README: change the grammar + +I think it looks better this way. This part of the commit message will +end up in the commit-log. + +Signed-off-by: A U Thor <author@xxxxxxxxxxx> +--- +Let's have a wild discussion about grammar on the mailing list. This +part of my email will never end up in the commit log. Here is where I +can add additional context to the mailing list about my intent, outside +of the context of the commit log. + + README.md | 2 +- + 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) + +diff --git a/README.md b/README.md +index 88f126184c..38da593a60 100644 +--- a/README.md ++++ b/README.md +@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ + Git - fast, scalable, distributed revision control system + ========================================================= + +-Git is a fast, scalable, distributed revision control system with an ++Git is a fast, scalable, and distributed revision control system with an + unusually rich command set that provides both high-level operations + and full access to internals. + +-- +2.21.0.392.gf8f6787159e-goog +---- + +== My Patch Got Emailed - Now What? + +[[reviewing]] +=== Responding to Reviews + +After a few days, you will hopefully receive a reply to your patchset with some +comments. Woohoo! Now you can get back to work. + +It's good manners to reply to each comment, notifying the reviewer that you have +made the change requested, feel the original is better, or that the comment +inspired you to do something a new way which is superior to both the original +and the suggested change. This way reviewers don't need to inspect your v2 to +figure out whether you implemented their comment or not. + +If you are going to push back on a comment, be polite and explain why you feel +your original is better; be prepared that the reviewer may still disagree with +you, and the rest of the community may weigh in on one side or the other. As +with all code reviews, it's important to keep an open mind to doing something a +different way than you originally planned; other reviewers have a different +perspective on the project than you do, and may be thinking of a valid side +effect which had not occurred to you. It is always okay to ask for clarification +if you aren't sure why a change was suggested, or what the reviewer is asking +you to do. + +Make sure your email client has a plaintext email mode and it is turned on; the +Git list rejects HTML email. Please also follow the mailing list etiquette +outlined in the +https://kernel.googlesource.com/pub/scm/git/git/+/todo/MaintNotes[Maintainer's +Note], which are similar to etiquette rules in most open source communities +surrounding bottom-posting and inline replies. + +When you're making changes to your code, it is cleanest - that is, the resulting +commits are easiest to look at - if you use `git rebase -i` (interactive +rebase). Take a look at this +https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/git-pocket-guide/9781449327507/ch10.html[overview] +from O'Reilly. The general idea is to modify each commit which requires changes; +this way, instead of having a patch A with a mistake, a patch B which was fine +and required no upstream reviews in v1, and a patch C which fixes patch A for +v2, you can just ship a v2 with a correct patch A and correct patch B. This is +changing history, but since it's local history which you haven't shared with +anyone, that is okay for now! (Later, it may not make sense to do this; take a +look at the section below this one for some context.) + +=== After Review Approval + +The Git project has four integration branches: `pu`, `next`, `master`, and +`maint`. Your change will be placed into `pu` fairly early on by the maintainer +while it is still in the review process; from there, when it is ready for wider +testing, it will be merged into `next`. Plenty of early testers use `next` and +may report issues. Eventually, changes in `next` will make it to `master`, +which is typically considered stable. Finally, when a new release is cut, +`maint` is used to base bugfixes onto. As mentioned at the beginning of this +document, you can read `Documents/SubmittingPatches` for some more info about +the use of the various integration branches. + +Back to now: your code has been lauded by the upstream reviewers. It is perfect. +It is ready to be accepted. You don't need to do anything else; the maintainer +will merge your topic branch to `next` and life is good. + +However, if you discover it isn't so perfect after this point, you may need to +take some special steps depending on where you are in the process. + +If the maintainer has announced in the "What's cooking in git.git" email that +your topic is marked for `next` - that is, that they plan to merge it to `next` +but have not yet done so - you should send an email asking the maintainer to +wait a little longer: "I've sent v4 of my series and you marked it for `next`, +but I need to change this and that - please wait for v5 before you merge it." + +If the topic has already been merged to `next`, rather than modifying your +patches with `git rebase -i`, you should make further changes incrementally - +that is, with another commit, based on top of of the maintainer's topic branch +as detailed in https://github.com/gitster/git. Your work is still in the same +topic but is now incremental, rather than a wholesale rewrite of the topic +branch. + +The topic branches in the maintainer's GitHub are mirrored in GitGitGadget, so +if you're sending your reviews out that way, you should be sure to open your PR +against the appropriate GitGitGadget/Git branch. + +If you're using `git +send-email`, you can use it the same way as before, but you should generate your +diffs from `<topic>..<mybranch>` and base your work on `<topic>` instead of +`master`. -- 2.21.0.392.gf8f6787159e-goog
