Git Hooks - usage and git hook examples

Developing quality applications is a complex process. To succeed, we need to use tools that support coding. These processes sometimes need automation. Due to the needs of developers and sysadmin, this process will reduce deployment time. Git is one of the most popular tools for this specific purpose. In this tutorial, let me learn about Git Hooks to increase the efficiency of a VPS project!

Git Hooks is an internal utility that can improve Git usage. Learn how it works correctly!

What is git?

Before learning about Hooks, learn about Git.
Git is an open source version control application. With this application, we can track the development of the software in detail.
Git is popular with developers and most open source projects use the platform.

What are Git Hooks?

With Git, we can create project development branches, register changes, and control absolute versions. However, you can automate this process. Git automation can operate at a programming and deployment level. That is the use of Hook.
Git hooks are script shells that run automatically before or after Git executes important commands like Commit or Push. In order for Hook to work, it needs to provide execution rights to the Unix system. By using these scripts, you will automate a few things.
Git will activate the example of Git hooks as soon as the local repository starts up. It should be noted that websites like Github or Gitlab do not allow it to be used in the first instance. Therefore they are mostly used in local or private instances

How to use Git Hooks

Hooks are stored in folders .git / hooks / of each mirrored project or in a newly created local repository. There we will find many examples of Hooks.
To activate the hook, simply create the file and save it in the directory .git / hooks /. However, the file name has been assigned to you by Git according to the Git definition as below:

Git Hook	Git command	Description
applypatch-msg.sample	git am	When the patch notification is changed
commit-msg.sample	git commit	To set the commit execution notification
fsmonitor-watchman.sample	launch watchman	For watchman integration
post-update.sample	git push	By updating all data after push
pre-applypatch.sample	git am	Before applying the patch
pre-commit.sample	git commit	Before committing
prepare-commit-msg.sample	git commit	When commit message is set
pre-push.sample	git push	Before the push
pre-rebase.sample	git rebase	Before skipping or entering
pre-receive.sample	git push	When we push and receive data from the remote repository
update.sample	git push	By updating the remote data in a push

By updating data remotely when push
As we can see, every Hook carries a Git command. Thanks to it, we can calculate when it is convenient to use Hook.

Git Hooks example

Hooks’ use is broad, but knowledge of Bash and other languages such as Python or Ruby is needed to take full advantage of its potential. Here are some basic examples:

Displays information about the Commit implementation

This example gives information about the commit action. Create a file named prepare-commit-msg in the directory .git / hooks / of the repository. Then write the following script:

#!/bin/sh    SOB=$(git config github.user)  grep -qs "^$SOB" "$1" || echo ". Cambio por @$SOB" >> "$1"

Then save and set the executable file.

:~$ chmod +x prepare-commit-msg

With this simple Hook, when making a commit, we will get relevant information about it right away.

Create documents when changes are uploaded

Pre-push hook allows documentation of the code if we have the builder. Every time we make changes, the document will be made automatically.
Create a pre-push in the same directory as before and add the script:

#!/bin/bash    doxygen Doxyfile  git add docs/  git commit -m "Update documentation ($(date +%F@%R))"

Save the file and finally set the execution rights.

:~$ chmod +x pre-push

Find and fix Trailing Whitespace in Commit

This type of Git Hooks pre-commit is fairly straightforward. Create a file called pre-commit and add the following:

#!/bin/bash -l    .git/hooks/pre-commit-master-no-no  if [[ $? == 1 ]]  then  exit 1  fi    .git/hooks/pre-commit-debugger  .git/hooks/pre-commit-trailing-spaces  .git/hooks/pre-commit-images  .git/hooks/pre-commit-pair

Now trailing whitespace will be found and fixed in all commits.

Conclude

Git is an important tool for programmers today. Git hooks are a great way to improve this tool even more! In this tutorial, we looked at the basic concept of automating processes using Git Hooks.
Creating scripts for Git Hooks can be troublesome if you don’t have a solid knowledge of the programming language, like bash.
But now that you know what Git Hooks are, you also learn how to use basic Git Hooks first. We recommend that you follow these orthodox documents and continue to dig deeper!