Git Format-Patch Command

A Git Format-Patch Command is a version control command that generates email-formatted patch files from git commits for patch distribution.

• AKA: git format-patch, Git Patch Generation Command, Git Email Patch Generator, Git Commit Export Command.
• Context:
  • It can typically create RFC 2822 Compliant Emails with patch content.
  • It can typically preserve Commit Messages, Author Information, and Commit Timestamps.
  • It can typically generate Numbered Patch Series from commit ranges.
  • It can often include Cover Letters for patch series description.
  • It can often add Subject Prefixes for patch categorization.
  • It can often specify Output Directorys for patch file organization.
  • It can support Binary File Changes through base64 encoding.
  • It can range from being a Single Commit Patch to being a Multi-Commit Patch Series, depending on its commit range specification.
  • It can range from being a Standard Format Patch to being a Customized Format Patch, depending on its format options.
  • It can range from being a Inline Patch Format to being an Attachment Patch Format, depending on its email structure.
  • It can range from being a Compressed Patch Output to being an Uncompressed Patch Output, depending on its output format.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Basic Format-Patch Usage, such as:
    • `git format-patch HEAD~1` for single commit patch.
    • `git format-patch origin/main` for branch difference patch.
  • Advanced Format-Patch Usage, such as:
    • `git format-patch --cover-letter` for patch series with description.
    • `git format-patch --thread` for threaded email series.
  • Specialized Format-Patch Usage, such as:
    • `git format-patch --binary` for binary file inclusion.
    • `git format-patch --stdout` for standard output redirection.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Git Diff Command, which shows changes but doesn't create email-formatted patches.
  • Git Show Command, which displays commit content but doesn't generate patch files.
  • Git Archive Command, which creates source archives rather than patch files.
• See: Git Am Command, Git Apply Command, Version Control Command, Patch Generation Tool, Email Patch Format, Software Patch, Git Operation, Patch File Format, Version Control System.

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