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Diffstat (limited to 'Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst')
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diff --git a/Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst b/Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst index fb56297f70dc..ba5e944c7a63 100644 --- a/Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst +++ b/Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst @@ -782,7 +782,58 @@ helpful, you can use the https://lkml.kernel.org/ redirector (e.g., in the cover email text) to link to an earlier version of the patch series. -16) Sending ``git pull`` requests +16) Providing base tree information +----------------------------------- + +When other developers receive your patches and start the review process, +it is often useful for them to know where in the tree history they +should place your work. This is particularly useful for automated CI +processes that attempt to run a series of tests in order to establish +the quality of your submission before the maintainer starts the review. + +If you are using ``git format-patch`` to generate your patches, you can +automatically include the base tree information in your submission by +using the ``--base`` flag. The easiest and most convenient way to use +this option is with topical branches:: + + $ git checkout -t -b my-topical-branch master + Branch 'my-topical-branch' set up to track local branch 'master'. + Switched to a new branch 'my-topical-branch' + + [perform your edits and commits] + + $ git format-patch --base=auto --cover-letter -o outgoing/ master + outgoing/0000-cover-letter.patch + outgoing/0001-First-Commit.patch + outgoing/... + +When you open ``outgoing/0000-cover-letter.patch`` for editing, you will +notice that it will have the ``base-commit:`` trailer at the very +bottom, which provides the reviewer and the CI tools enough information +to properly perform ``git am`` without worrying about conflicts:: + + $ git checkout -b patch-review [base-commit-id] + Switched to a new branch 'patch-review' + $ git am patches.mbox + Applying: First Commit + Applying: ... + +Please see ``man git-format-patch`` for more information about this +option. + +.. note:: + + The ``--base`` feature was introduced in git version 2.9.0. + +If you are not using git to format your patches, you can still include +the same ``base-commit`` trailer to indicate the commit hash of the tree +on which your work is based. You should add it either in the cover +letter or in the first patch of the series and it should be placed +either below the ``---`` line or at the very bottom of all other +content, right before your email signature. + + +17) Sending ``git pull`` requests --------------------------------- If you have a series of patches, it may be most convenient to have the |