GitVersionTree

A tool to help visualize git revisions and branches.

Introduction

(First of all, sorry for my english.)

Coming from Clearcase background, I find it difficult and confusing sometime to understand and visualize my project development in git when it grows with many branch.

Using gitk or git log --oneline --color --all --decorate --graph, I couldn't understand the relationship between each branches. Eg. where this branch come out from and where it merged to etc. Sometime the branch just appear out of nowhere because there is a new commit in a branch. I find it hard to also to follow my master branch inside the 'branch forest' because it won't grow in straight line. It would be more severe when I started out git.

Therefore, I made this little tool to help me solve my problem. To whoever face this problem also, I hope this tool can help you.

Screenshot

Screenshot of Gitk. Branch may not be in straight line.

Screenshot of GitVersionTree. Keeping branch in their own line. From oldest commit at the top down to latest at the bottom.

Features

• Tree is from top to bottom
• Same branch will be in same straight line tree
• Date is sort on the branch itself instead with all branch
• Tag and branch name on the side
• Easy scrolling / zooming with PDF

Project Status

• I would say this project still in beta.
• Contructive feedback are always welcome.
• Good to handle git project with less than 500 commits. Should be able to visualize clearly.
• Tested with jquery project with 5000+ commits. Although the tool still can generate the version tree, but you wouldn't want to go thru each commits, only to visualize some development of the important branch only.
• Will generate out a .pdf file, a .dot file and a .ps file. So you can either view PDF with PDF reader, or Dot file with zgrviewer, or Postscript file with Evince.

Requirement

This tool required or need:

• Git
• Graphviz
• Microsoft(c) .Net Framework 4.0
• Any PDF reader/viewer
• Postscript viewer (optional)

This project was compile using Microsoft(c) Visual Studio 2010 Express Edition.

Pending

• Output enhancement (Colors, Node alignment, etc)
• Background process
• Max count selection
• Date range selection
• Integrated Git (?)
• Integrated Graphviz (?)
• Integrated PDF Viewer (?)

Download

Latest release: v1.0

Compile on Linux

sudo apt-get install mono-devel graphviz
git clone https://github.com/srix/GitVersionTree.git
cd GitVersionTree
xbuild /p:Configuration=Release
GitVersionTree/bin/Release/GitVersionTree.exe

Changelog

• v1.0 - 17 August 2013

  • Initial baseline

License

GPL V2

Disclaimer

The developers of this software provide the software "as is," and you use the software at your own risk. The developers make no warranties as to performance, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. No oral or written communication from or information provided by the developers shall create a warranty. Under no circumstances shall the developers be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse, or inability to use this software, even if the developers has been advised of the possibility of such damages.