Introduction

• git log command is used to view the commit history of a Git repository.
• It displays a list of commits in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent commits first.
• git log command helps in tracking the project's evolution, understanding code changes, and identifying contributors.

How to use git log ?

• Check your logs:
  • git log
• The command will show the following:
  • 
• Each commit entry shows:
  • Commit hash (a unique identifier)
  • Author name and email
  • Date and time of the commit
  • Commit message explaining the change.

Different ways to use git log ?

1. View Detailed Commit History:
   • git log
   • Shows complete commit history with author, date, and message.
   • Useful for a deep analysis of project history.
2. View a Compact History:
   • git log --oneline
   • Displays each commit in a single line with a short hash and commit message.
   • Ideal for a quick overview.
3. View Specific Number of Commits:
   • git log -n 5
   • Shows the last 5 commits.
   • Useful when you want to see recent changes only.
4. View History for a Specific File:
   • git log filename.txt
   • Displays the commit history of a specific file.
   • Helps track changes made to that particular file.
5. View History with File Differences:
   • git log -p
   • Shows commit history along with the actual changes (diffs).
   • Useful for detailed code reviews.
6. View Commits by a Specific Author:
   • git log --author="Author Name"
   • Filters commits by a specific author.
   • Useful for reviewing individual contributions.
7. View History with Date Range:
   • git log --since="2024-01-01" --until="2024-12-31"
   • Shows commits within a specific time range.
   • Helpful for tracking progress during a period.
8. Graphical Log View:
   • git log --graph --oneline
   • Shows a visual representation of branches and merges.
   • Great for understanding complex commit histories.
9. Search Commit Messages:
   • git log --grep="bug fix"
   • Filters commits by keywords in commit messages.
   • Useful for finding commits related to specific tasks.
10. Show Changes Introduced by Each Commit:
    • git log --stat
    • Summarizes the number of changes (lines added/removed) per file.
    • Quick way to understand the impact of each commit.