git-contrib

Display all commit hashes and their corresponding commit messages from a specific author

$ git contrib [author]

The term "git-contrib" does not refer to a single executable command itself. Instead, it denotes a directory containing numerous independent Git-related utility scripts. Therefore, there is no universal synopsis for "git-contrib".

Each script within the contrib directory has its own unique syntax and options. To use a specific script, you generally invoke it directly by its name, often prefixed with its full path, or by using a Git alias if one has been configured.

General invocation pattern for a contrib script:

/path/to/git-core/contrib/script-name [options] [arguments]

Example for a hypothetical contrib script:

/usr/share/git-core/contrib/git-foo-bar --option-a value file.txt

N/A - Varies per script
    The term "git-contrib" refers to a collection of numerous independent scripts, not a single command. As such, there are no universal parameters that apply across all of them.

Each script within the contrib directory defines its own specific command-line options and arguments. Users must consult the individual script's documentation or source code for its parameters.

The term "git-contrib" refers to a collection of community-contributed scripts and tools that extend Git's functionality beyond its core commands. These utilities are typically found in a dedicated directory within the Git installation, often located at paths like /usr/share/doc/git-core/contrib/ or /usr/share/git-core/contrib/. They are developed and maintained by the Git community to address specific use cases, automate complex workflows, or provide specialized features that are not part of the official Git distribution.

Unlike core Git commands, scripts in the contrib directory are not officially supported or guaranteed to be stable across Git versions. However, many of them are widely used and can be incredibly valuable for developers. Users typically invoke these scripts by their full path, or by copying/symlinking them into their system's PATH, or by creating a Git alias for easier access. The contrib collection serves as a rich resource for advanced Git users looking for powerful, niche tools.

• Unofficial Status: Scripts in the contrib directory are not part of Git's core distribution and are not officially supported by the Git development team. They may not adhere to the same stability guarantees as core commands.

• Maintenance and Updates: Their maintenance status can vary widely. Some scripts are actively maintained, while others might be outdated or abandoned. Compatibility with newer Git versions is not always guaranteed.

• Security Risks: As these are third-party scripts, running them carries inherent risks. Always review the script's code before executing it, especially if obtained from an untrusted source, to prevent potential security vulnerabilities.

• Dependencies: Many contrib scripts are written in shell, Perl, or Python and may rely on external tools or libraries that are not bundled with Git. Users might need to install additional dependencies for a script to function correctly.

• Availability: The exact set of scripts available in the contrib directory can differ across Git distributions, operating systems, and Git versions. Some distributions might not include the contrib directory by default, or it might be in a different location.

While the contents vary, some notable types of scripts frequently found or discussed in the git-contrib collection include:

• git-subtree: Manages subprojects in your repository by embedding them as subdirectories, offering an alternative to Git submodules.
• git-prompt.sh: A popular script used for customizing shell prompts to display Git repository status information (branch, dirty state, etc.).
• git-gui (often a separate package but originates from contrib spirit): A Tcl/Tk based graphical user interface for Git.
• git-send-email (now often core, but historically a contrib or related idea): A tool for sending patch series via email, commonly used in open-source projects.
• git-browse: Opens the current repository or a specific file in a web browser, often linking to a service like GitHub or GitLab.
• git-archive-zip: Helps create zip archives of a Git repository, potentially handling submodules or other complexities.

The concept of a "contrib" (contributions) directory within the Git project arose early in its development. It served as a pragmatic solution to accommodate useful tools and scripts that extended Git's capabilities without burdening the core project with their maintenance or making them official, fully supported commands.

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Git, famously emphasized a minimalist approach for the core Git toolset. The contrib directory became a natural home for "nice-to-have" utilities that were too specialized, too experimental, or too niche to be integrated directly into the main Git executable. This allowed the community to innovate and share solutions rapidly, providing a testing ground for new ideas. Over time, some highly successful contrib scripts, like git-subtree or git-gui, gained significant adoption and sometimes even saw parts of their functionality or concepts influence new core Git commands, or were themselves later integrated into the main Git distribution as optional packages.

git(1), git-config(1), git-alias(1), git-hooks(5)