Re: [RFC PATCH 0/5] format-patch: automate cover letter range-diff

> Dscho recently implemented a 'tbdiff' replacement as a Git builtin named
> git-branch-diff[1] which computes differences between two versions of a
> patch series. Such a diff can be a useful aid for reviewers when
> inserted into a cover letter. However, doing so requires manual
> generation (invoking git-branch-diff) and copy/pasting the result into
> the cover letter.
> 
> This series fully automates the process by adding a --range-diff option
> to git-format-patch.

> It is RFC for a couple reasons:
> 
> * The final name for the 'tbdiff' replacement has not yet been nailed
>   down. The name git-branch-diff is moribund[2]; Dscho favors merging
>   the functionality into git-branch as a new --diff option[3]; others
>   prefer a standalone command named git-range-diff or
>   git-series-diff[4] or similar.

> * I have some ideas for future enhancements and want to be careful not
>   to lock in a UI which doesn't mesh well with them (though I think the
>   current UI turned out reasonably well). First, I foresee a
>   complementary --interdiff option for inserting an interdiff-style diff
>   for cases when that style is easier to read or simply more
>   appropriate. Second, although the current patch series only supports
>   --range-diff for the cover letter, some people insert interdiff- or
>   tbdiff-style diffs (indented) into the commentary section of
>   standalone patches. Although this often makes for a noisy mess, it is
>   periodically useful.

> This series is built atop js/branch-diff in 'pu'.
> 
> [1]: https://public-inbox.org/git/cover.1525448066.git.johannes.schindelin@gmx.de/
> [2]: https://public-inbox.org/git/nycvar.QRO.7.76.6.1805061401260.77@tvgsbejvaqbjf.bet/
> [3]: https://public-inbox.org/git/nycvar.QRO.7.76.6.1805062155120.77@tvgsbejvaqbjf.bet/
> [4]: https://public-inbox.org/git/xmqqin7gzbkb.fsf@gitster-ct.c.googlers.com/
> 
> Eric Sunshine (5):
>   format-patch: allow additional generated content in
>     make_cover_letter()
>   format-patch: add --range-diff option to embed diff in cover letter
>   format-patch: extend --range-diff to accept revision range
>   format-patch: teach --range-diff to respect -v/--reroll-count
>   format-patch: add --creation-weight tweak for --range-diff
> 
>  Documentation/git-format-patch.txt |  18 +++++
>  builtin/log.c                      | 119 ++++++++++++++++++++++++-----
>  t/t7910-branch-diff.sh             |  16 ++++
>  3 files changed, 132 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-)
> 
> -- 
> 2.17.1.1235.ge295dfb56e