Unleashing the Power of Creativity and Wit in Your Git Commits

Welcome back Traveler…

FYI.. if you want to skip the fluff.. scroll all the way to the bottom of this page – Otherwise, please enjoy this little journey with me..
as the clock shows late time ..    

Once upon a time, in the mythical land of Codershire, there was a fearsome creature known as the Wildcard Slasher. The Wildcard Slasher would wreak havoc in the realm by making seemingly innocent changes to the code, but would do so in a way that made the codebase unstable and hard to maintain. The citizens of Codershire were desperate for a hero to save them from the chaos that the Wildcard Slasher had unleashed.

In the midst of the chaos, a wise and powerful wizard named Gandalf appeared in Codershire. Gandalf was an expert in the arcane art of git, and he believed that the key to defeating the Wildcard Slasher was in crafting the perfect commit messages. To aid the citizens of Codershire, Gandalf created a magical script that would guide programmers on their quest to create descriptive and accurate commit messages.

Before we proceed, let’s take a look at some ridiculously bad examples of commit messages that the Wildcard Slasher had left in their wake:

1. “fixed stuff”
2. “changes made”
3. “another attempt”
4. “updated things”
5. “minor tweaks”
6. “now it works”
7. “formatting”
8. “oops, forgot this”
9. “bla bla bla”
10. “quick fix”

These vague and unhelpful commit messages made it difficult for the citizens of Codershire to understand the changes that had been made to their codebase, and left them vulnerable to the Wildcard Slasher’s mischief.

As the programmers of Codershire began to use Gandalf’s magical script, they found that their commit messages were more descriptive, and their codebase became easier to maintain. The Wildcard Slasher’s influence began to wane, and the citizens of Codershire rejoiced in their newfound stability.

Let’s dive into the inner workings of Gandalf’s script, focusing on the regex patterns and the denied words list that help protect the codebase from the Wildcard Slasher.

Gandalf’s script is built on a foundation of regex patterns, which are used to match specific portions of a commit message. These regex patterns ensure that each commit message adheres to a specific format, making it easier for the citizens of Codershire to understand and maintain their codebase. The regex patterns used in Gandalf’s script are:

1. JIRA ticket number pattern: [A-Z]+-[0-9]+
2. Resources pattern: \[.+\]
3. Message pattern: .+

These patterns ensure that the JIRA ticket number is in the proper format, that the resources affected by the changes are properly enclosed in brackets, and that the message is not empty.

To further improve the quality of commit messages, Gandalf also created a denied words list. This list contains vague and unhelpful words and phrases that the Wildcard Slasher had been known to use in their commit messages. By checking each commit message against the denied words list, Gandalf’s script ensures that the message is descriptive and informative.

The denied words list includes the following words and phrases:

1. stuff
2. now
3. here
4. for better
5. additional
6. more comments
7. more permission
8. fixed permissions
9. another
10. bla
11. attempted
12. fix error
13. fixed name
14. fixing formatting
15. fix wildcard
16. formatting updates
17. format fixing
18. fixed minor error
19. fixed items based on feedback
20. certain

By using regex patterns and the denied words list, Gandalf’s script guides programmers in crafting clear, descriptive, and accurate commit messages that protect their codebase from the Wildcard Slasher’s treachery.

In the next installment of our adventure, we will explore Gandalf’s wisdom, as embodied in his list of witty and inspiring phrases. These phrases not only add a touch of magic and creativity to the commit message creation process but also serve as a reminder that even the smallest commit message can change the course of the repository.

Now, we turn our attention to the wisdom of Gandalf himself, as embodied in his list of witty and inspiring phrases. These phrases not only add a touch of magic and creativity to the commit message creation process but also serve as a reminder that even the smallest commit message can change the course of the repository.

Gandalf’s list of phrases is a treasure trove of wit and wisdom, each offering a unique perspective on the importance of crafting accurate and descriptive commit messages. Some of the phrases found within Gandalf’s script include:

1. “Verily, behold the message of your deeds!”
2. “You shall not pass…this commit message without review!”
3. “Fly, you fools…to the review of this message!”
4. “All we have to decide is what to do with the commit message that is given to us.”
5. “A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He commits changes precisely when he means to.”
6. “Even the smallest commit message can change the course of the repository.”
7. “End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Commit changes must be made.”
8. “I am a servant of the Repository, wielder of the commit messages of Annuminas.”
9. “It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all commits.”
10. “I have no memory of this commit message.”
11. “One does not simply commit changes into Mordor.”
12. “May the commit message be with you.”
13. “Commit or do not commit, there is no try.”
14. “Do not go where the path may lead. Commit where there is no path and leave a trail.”
15. “To commit changes is to live, to die is to lose.”
16. “In a hole in the repository there lived a commit message.”
17. “All that is gold does not commit, not all those who commit are lost.”
18. “The commit message that passes the sentence should commit the changes.”
19. “The best commit message is the one not written.”

By incorporating these phrases into the commit message creation process, Gandalf’s script brings a touch of whimsy and magic to the often mundane task of crafting commit messages. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that, like the heroes of myth and legend, programmers too can wield the power of words to change the course of their projects and vanquish the chaos sown by the Wildcard Slasher.

In our journey through the land of Codershire, we have explored the regex patterns, the denied words list, and the wisdom of Gandalf’s witty and inspiring phrases. Now, we will bring these elements together to see how the combined forces of creativity, wit, and wisdom can lead us to a realm of clearer, more descriptive, and more accurate commit messages, ensuring the safety and stability of our codebases for generations to come.

Gandalf’s magical script not only helps programmers craft better commit messages but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of communication and clarity in the realm of software development. As we unite the magic of Gandalf’s script with the power of git, we can see that the process of creating engaging and informative commit messages is as much an art as it is a science.

To truly harness the power of Gandalf’s script and the wisdom it imparts, it’s essential for programmers to embrace the following principles:

1. Clarity: Strive for clarity in your commit messages by providing a concise, yet informative, description of the changes made to the codebase.
2. Accuracy: Ensure that your commit messages accurately reflect the changes made, helping your fellow programmers understand the intent behind each modification.
3. Consistency: Adhere to a consistent format and structure for your commit messages, making it easier for others to navigate and understand the project’s history.
4. Creativity: Embrace creativity and wit in your commit messages, adding a touch of personality and charm that can make even the most mundane tasks more enjoyable.
5. Collaboration: Remember that commit messages serve as a form of communication between team members, so be mindful of the messages you leave behind and how they may impact others working on the project.

By incorporating these principles into your commit message creation process and harnessing the power of Gandalf’s magical script, you can protect your codebase from the chaos of the Wildcard Slasher and ensure the stability and success of your projects.

May the magic of Gandalf’s script inspire you to create engaging, informative, and accurate commit messages that bring order to the chaos and pave the way for a brighter future in the world of code.

In the words of Gandalf himself, “All we have to decide is what to do with the commit message that is given to us.” Embrace the power of creativity, wit, and wisdom in your git commit messages, and you too can become a guardian of the codebase and a champion of clarity and communication.

As our adventure through the land of Codershire comes to a close, we reflect on the wisdom and wit that Gandalf has shared with us. From regex patterns and denied words lists to the creativity of Gandalf’s witty phrases, the magical script has provided us with the tools to craft engaging and informative commit messages. Now, it’s time to look towards the future and explore how we can inspire a new generation of programmers to become guardians of commit messages and champions of clarity and communication.

To continue Gandalf’s legacy, we must encourage the development of habits and practices that foster creativity, wit, and wisdom in our commit messages. Here are some ways we can inspire a new generation of commit message guardians:

1. Educate: Share the importance of creating clear, accurate, and informative commit messages with new programmers, highlighting the benefits of good commit messages and the potential pitfalls of poor ones.
2. Lead by Example: Model the use of engaging and accurate commit messages in your own work, demonstrating the value of Gandalf’s wisdom to your fellow programmers.
3. Celebrate Creativity: Recognize and celebrate the creative and witty commit messages crafted by your peers, fostering a culture of creativity and humor in your development team.
4. Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback on commit messages, helping your teammates improve their messaging and continually refine their commit message creation process.
5. Share Gandalf’s Script: Introduce Gandalf’s magical script to new programmers, empowering them with the tools they need to create engaging, informative, and accurate commit messages.

By encouraging these practices within your development team, you can help ensure that Gandalf’s legacy lives on and that future generations of programmers embrace the power of creativity, wit, and wisdom in their git commit messages.

As we bid farewell to the land of Codershire and the wisdom of Gandalf, we hope that the lessons we’ve learned on this adventure will stay with you as you continue your journey through the realm of software development. May Gandalf’s magical script serve as a guiding light, inspiring you to craft engaging, informative, and accurate commit messages that protect the integrity of your codebase and foster a culture of clarity and communication.

In the immortal words of Gandalf, “Even the smallest commit message can change the course of the repository.” Embrace the power of creativity, wit, and wisdom in your git commit messages, and you too can become a guardian of the codebase and a champion of clarity and communication.

Now that we have delved deep into the wisdom and wit of Gandalf’s magical script and explored new frontiers in commit message magic, it’s time to see the script in action. In this part of our adventure, we will provide examples of how to use Gandalf’s script to craft engaging, informative, and accurate commit messages, complete with the wizard’s touch.

Example 1: Adding a new policy

Enter the JIRA ticket number: ABC-123
How many resources (roles/policies) are affected? 1
Enter the name of affected resource #1: UserPolicy
Enter a brief message describing the changes: Add UserPolicy with read access to s3 bucket named strawberry

Generated Commit Message:

ABC-123 UserProfile: Add UserPolicy with read access to s3 bucket named strawberry

Gandalf’s Wisdom:

All we have to decide is what to do with the commit message that is given to us.

Full script available at GITHUB: https://github.com/wozoopa/python/blob/main/gandalf-of-commits.py

That’s all in this short mission.. 

Until next time Traveler..