Git Debug - Shell/Bash

Git is an essential tool for version control in software development. However, even the most experienced developers are not immune to errors while using Git. This is where Git Debug comes in. In this article, we will focus on Git Debug for Shell/Bash.

What is Git Debug?

Git Debug is a feature that helps developers troubleshoot Git. When an error occurs, Git Debug provides detailed information on the error and suggests steps to rectify the issue. Git Debug is available for use in various Git commands, including Git Merge, Git Rebase, and Git Bisect.

Using Git Debug in Shell/Bash

Using Git Debug in Shell/Bash is simple. When a Git command fails, use the GIT_TRACE environment variable to enable debug printing. The GIT_TRACE variable is set to 1 for basic debug information and 2 for more verbose debug information.

$ GIT_TRACE=1 git pull origin master

The output will provide information on what Git is doing behind the scenes. Here is an example output:

trace: exec: 'git-pull' 'origin' 'master'
trace: run_command: 'git-pull' 'origin' 'master'
trace: built-in: git 'rev-parse' '--git-dir'
trace: built-in: git 'rev-parse' '--show-toplevel'
trace: built-in: git 'ls-files' '-u'
From git://github.com/user/repo
 * branch            master     -> FETCH_HEAD
Already up-to-date.
trace: run_command: 'less' '/tmp/git-merge-tO9Z9S'

Additionally, you can also use the GIT_TRACE_SETUP environment variable to get information on the setup and configuration of Git.

$ GIT_TRACE_SETUP=1 git pull origin master

Conclusion

In conclusion, Git Debug for Shell/Bash is an invaluable tool for software developers. It provides detailed information on Git errors and suggests solutions to rectify the issue. By using Git Debug, developers can save time and effort, allowing them to focus on writing high-quality code.