From: Sam Vilain Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:38:47 +0000 (+1200) Subject: SubmittingPatches: itemize and reflect upon well written changes X-Git-Tag: v1.6.3-rc4~15 X-Git-Url: http://git.tremily.us/?a=commitdiff_plain;h=47afed5dc17faf10fde18789b17cf6ebff829cf4;p=git.git SubmittingPatches: itemize and reflect upon well written changes The SubmittingPatches file was trimmed down from a somewhat overwhelming set of requirements from the Linux Kernel equivalent; however perhaps a little of it can be returned without making the text too long. Signed-off-by: Sam Vilain Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano --- diff --git a/Documentation/SubmittingPatches b/Documentation/SubmittingPatches index 8d818a216..76fc84d87 100644 --- a/Documentation/SubmittingPatches +++ b/Documentation/SubmittingPatches @@ -6,9 +6,13 @@ Checklist (and a short version for the impatient): - check for unnecessary whitespace with "git diff --check" before committing - do not check in commented out code or unneeded files - - provide a meaningful commit message - the first line of the commit message should be a short description and should skip the full stop + - the body should provide a meaningful commit message, which: + - uses the imperative, present tense: "change", + not "changed" or "changes". + - includes motivation for the change, and contrasts + its implementation with previous behaviour - if you want your work included in git.git, add a "Signed-off-by: Your Name " line to the commit message (or just use the option "-s" when @@ -62,6 +66,14 @@ Describe the technical detail of the change(s). If your description starts to get too long, that's a sign that you probably need to split up your commit to finer grained pieces. +That being said, patches which plainly describe the things that +help reviewers check the patch, and future maintainers understand +the code, are the most beautiful patches. Descriptions that summarise +the point in the subject well, and describe the motivation for the +change, the approach taken by the change, and if relevant how this +differs substantially from the prior version, can be found on Usenet +archives back into the late 80's. Consider it like good Netiquette, +but for code. Oh, another thing. I am picky about whitespaces. Make sure your changes do not trigger errors with the sample pre-commit hook shipped