Writing good commit messages

It is crucial for effective collaboration, maintaining the code overtime and understanding the code in general. Well written commit messages help the team (and future self) quickly grasp the context

What changes were made

Why these changes were needed

How they fit into larger scheme of project

Most of the software development happens in geographically dispersed scenario these days. Code Reviewers might not be in same floor to peek over the cubicle. Descriptive commit messages can provide needed context to allow team members to know what has been done without digging into code, this becomes important in large teams where people may work on different parts of the project.

Clear, consistent messages reduce back-and-forth communication, allowing developers to follow each other's work and avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.

Git commit messages are also historical record of a project’s development. By writing clear, meaningful messages, developers can see how and why the project evolved over time.

It can be invaluable in understanding why decisions were made, especially for people who join the project later. Well-documented commits can provide insight into past choices, making it easier for newcomers to ramp up on the project.

Consistent messages with standardized formats make it easier to auto-generate changelogs and documentation, making releases and version management smoother.

What makes a good commit messsage?

Let us discuss tomorrow