Introduction
Git, an open-source version control system, is a tool used by millions of developers around the globe to efficiently manage source code history. One of the crucial elements that need attention in each commit is the author and the committer’s name and emails. This information plays a significant role because it tells who made the change and who committed the modifications into the repository. In collaborative projects, having accurate author and committer information makes tracking changes and addressing issues easier. This blog will guide you through the steps you need to take if you want to change the author and committer info for multiple commits. It’s an activity that might be necessary if, for example, you’re switching version control systems, working on public repositories with incorrect info, or if you’re simply keen on protecting your privacy.
Why you may need to change author and committer info
Moving from one version control system to another can be daunting, especially if you’re required to retain your repository’s history. In such cases, the process to change author and committer info becomes an integral part of the switch over.
Working on a public repository might expose the authors and committers’ names and emails in the commits history. If this information was incorrect in the first place, and you’ve just realized, you’ll need to refactor your commit history.
Protecting privacy is another common reason why you may need to change your author and committer info. With the increase in cybersecurity threats, you surely wouldn’t want your developers to provide personal emails in public repositories. Therefore, it becomes necessary for you to refactor your commit history replacing the personal emails with generic email addresses.
Steps to change author and committer info for multiple commits
Changing the author and committer info for a single commit is straightforward. However, for multiple commits, it’s complex but not impossible – thanks to a couple of git commands: git rebase and git filter-branch.
Using git rebase
The ‘git rebase -i HEAD~n’ command starts an interactive rebase session for the last ‘n’ commits. Once you initiate the interactive rebase, a text editor will open, presenting the list of commits.
Editing the commit information
You can change the word “pick” to “edit” for the commits you want to modify the author/committer info. This will pause the rebase at each commit allowing you to tweak the details.
Using –exec to change author and committer info
The –exec option allows running a shell command for each commit of our rebased HEAD.
Using git filter-branch
You can use the ‘git filter-branch –env-filter ‘…’ command to change author and committer info across multiple commits. This command rewrites git history, replacing the user details as per your requirement.
Using git rebase with the -x option
Another option at your disposal is the git rebase command ‘–exec’ option or ‘git rebase -x’.
FAQs
Can I change author and committer info for just one commit?
Yes, changing the author and committer info for a single commit is relatively straightforward using the git commit –amend command.
Will changing author and committer info affect the integrity of the repository?
Yes, changing the author and committer info will affect the commit’s SHA1 hash because it contains author/committer’s information.
Is it possible to automate the process of changing info for multiple commits?
Yes, there are scripts and tools available to automate this process. One such tool is the git filter-repo, which simplifies filtering and rewriting your git repo history.
Conclusion
Finding accurate author and committer info in git commits is fundamental for the effective performance of any project. This blog post has highlighted multiple methods to update this information if you find any discrepancies in the details.
While going through the process might seem challenging, especially while working with multiple commits, it’s crucial to remember that having accurate information in your git history can come in handy during troubleshooting sessions. Furthermore, it protects the contributors’ identities if need be.
Maintaining a clean and accurate git history is not just about hygiene but about enabling better traceability and accountability. So do not falter in updating the info for multiple commits if the need arises. Follow the steps detailed in this blog post and ensure your git history is reflective of the truth at all times.
