Скачать или смотреть How to Add a New Root Commit in Git

Learn how to add a new `root commit` in Git and simulate a complex commit history with step-by-step instructions and useful commands.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/62297038/ asked by the user 'TieDad' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/978360/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/62297494/ provided by the user 'ElpieKay' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/6330106/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Adding a New Root Commit in Git: A Comprehensive Guide

In the world of version control, Git is a powerful tool that developers use to track changes in their projects. However, sometimes you might require a unique commit history to test certain features or scenarios. One common request is to create a new root commit—essentially simulating an abnormal commit history. This post will guide you through the process of adding a new root commit in Git, allowing you to shape your commit history just the way you need it.

Understanding Git Commits

Before we dive into the solution, let’s clarify what a root commit is. In Git, the root commit is the very first commit of a repository, with no parent; thus it represents the starting point of your project. Each subsequent commit can have one or more parent commits, branching and adding complexity to your project history.

The Problem at Hand

You might want your project's commit history to look like this:

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By executing the command git rev-list --max-parents=0 HEAD, your goal is to get this output:

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This means you want multiple commits to appear as root commits in your history.

The Solution: How to Create a New Root Commit

Method 1: Using an Orphan Branch

One effective way to create a new root commit is to use the concept of an orphan branch. Here's how you can do this:

Checkout Orphan Branch: This creates a new branch (in this case, temp) that starts with no commits.

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Create a New Commit: Make an initial commit in this new branch.

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Merge Back to Master: Finally, merge this new commit back into your master branch.

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This approach puts sha3 as a new root commit while keeping sha1 intact.

Method 2: Using the Empty Tree Object

Another way to achieve this is by leveraging Git's empty tree object. Here are the steps:

Merge with Empty Tree: Create a new root commit based on the empty tree hash.

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The hash 4b825dc642cb6eb9a060e54bf8d69288fbee4904 is Git's designated empty tree object.

Creating Your Own Empty Tree: If you can't remember the empty tree hash, you can create it easily:

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Method 3: Using an Existing Tree

You can also create a root commit from any existing commit's tree. This is useful if you want to use a specific commit's state:

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In this case, sha3 can be any existing commit, allowing you to maintain your history's integrity.

Wrapping Up

Creating a new root commit in Git can seem daunting at first, but with the methods outlined above, you now have the tools to simulate complex commit histories effectively. Whether you choose to use an orphan branch or existing tree objects, you can tailor your commit history to meet your needs.

By following these steps, you should successfully see multiple root commits when running:

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Happy committing!