hg serve is a command in Mercurial (Hg) that enables users to start a standalone web server specifically designed for browsing repositories. Here’s a detailed explanation of hg serve:
- Web Interface for Repositories: Mercurial repositories store version-controlled files and their history. While Mercurial provides command-line tools for interacting with repositories, hg serve offers a convenient web interface for browsing repository contents and history.
- Command Usage: When executed, hg serve launches a local web server on the user’s machine. By default, the server listens on port 8000, although users can specify a different port if needed. Once started, users can access the web interface by navigating to http://localhost:8000 (or the specified port) in their web browser.
- Repository Browsing Features: The web interface provided by hg serve allows users to explore repositories hosted on their local machine. Users can view file contents, browse commit history, and inspect changesets. Additionally, they can perform operations such as viewing file differences and downloading repository snapshots.
- Standalone Server: Unlike web-based repository hosting platforms, such as Bitbucket or GitHub, which provide additional collaboration features, hg serve is a lightweight, standalone server intended primarily for local use. It allows individual users to browse and interact with their Mercurial repositories without relying on external services.
- Documentation Reference: The Mercurial documentation contains detailed information about hg serve, including usage instructions and configuration options. Users can refer to this documentation to learn more about starting and using the web server effectively.
“hg server” Command Examples
1. Start a web server instance:
# hg serve
2. Start a web server instance on the specified port:
# hg serve --port [port]
3. Start a web server instance on the specified listening address:
# hg serve --address [address]
4. Start a web server instance with a specific identifier:
# hg serve --name [name]
5. Start a web server instance using the specified theme (see the templates directory):
# hg serve --style [style]
6. Start a web server instance using the specified SSL certificate bundle:
# hg serve --certificate [path/to/certificate]
Summary
In summary, hg serve is a command in Mercurial used to launch a standalone web server that provides a user-friendly interface for browsing Mercurial repositories locally. It enhances the repository browsing experience by offering web-based navigation and inspection capabilities, complementing Mercurial’s command-line interface.