The git changelog command is not a built-in Git command but rather a tool or script that helps generate a changelog report from the commits and tags in a Git repository. It is not a standard feature of Git, but rather a utility that can be added to your Git workflow.
The purpose of a changelog is to provide a summary of the changes made to a project over time. It typically includes information such as the date of the change, the author who made the change, a brief description of the change, and any relevant references or issue numbers.
The git changelog tool simplifies the process of generating a changelog by analyzing the commit history and extracting the relevant information. It can automatically group commits by tags or time periods, and format the changelog report in a standardized way.
The specific functionality and usage of git changelog can vary depending on the tool or script you are using. There are various open-source projects and third-party tools available that provide changelog generation functionality for Git repositories. These tools often have customizable options and support different output formats to suit your project’s needs.
To use a git changelog tool, you typically need to install it and configure it according to your repository’s structure and tagging conventions. Once configured, you can run the tool and specify the desired output format or additional options to tailor the generated changelog report.
Generating a changelog can be helpful for documenting the history of your project, providing a clear overview of the changes made, and facilitating communication among developers and stakeholders. It allows you to track the evolution of your project, understand the context of each change, and easily navigate through the history.
Remember that the specific features and usage of a git changelog tool may vary, so it’s recommended to consult the documentation or specific usage instructions provided by the tool you choose to use.
git changelog Command Examples
1. Update existing file or create a new History.md file with the commit messages since the latest Git tag:
# git changelog
2. List commits from the current version:
# git changelog --list
3. List a range of commits from the tag named 2.1.0 to now:
# git changelog --list --start-tag 2.1.0
4. List pretty formatted range of commits between the tag 0.5.0 and the tag 1.0.0:
# git changelog --start-tag 0.5.0 --final-tag 1.0.0
5. List pretty formatted range of commits between the commit 0b97430 and the tag 1.0.0:
# git changelog --start-commit 0b97430 --final-tag 1.0.0
6. Specify CHANGELOG.md as the output file:
# git changelog CHANGELOG.md
7. Replace contents of current changelog file entirely:
# git changelog --prune-old