Summary  
This chapter covers how to inspect changes in version control by displaying commit history with diffs (`git log -p`) and viewing detailed information for a specific commit (`git show`).

General domain of usage  
Software version control

## git log -p

The `git log` command displays the **commit history** of a project.
To view the **exact lines** changed in each commit, use the `-p` (patch) flag.
This approach is helpful when you need to **quickly** identify a commit that introduced a **bug** in the code.

Full command:


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/notiflix@2.7.0/dist/notiflix-aio-2.7.0.min.css"
    />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://content-media-cdn.codefinity.com/courses/c1087363-9025-4c37-8d5e-983a32a007e9/text-boxes-section/copyable-text-box.css"
    />
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="text-widget">
      
      <input type="text" class="text-field" id="widget1-text" value="git log -p" />
      <button class="copy-button" onclick="handleClick('widget1-text', 'widget1-notify')">
        <svg width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xml:space="preserve">
          <g>
            <path
              d="m26.121 6.707-3.828-3.828A2.98 2.98 0 0 0 20.172 2H12a3.003 3.003 0 0 0-3 3v1H8a3.003 3.003 0 0 0-3 3v18a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3 3h12a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3-3v-1h1a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3-3V8.829a2.982 2.982 0 0 0-.879-2.122ZM22 5.414 23.586 7H22ZM20 28H8a1.001 1.001 0 0 1-1-1V9a1.001 1.001 0 0 1 1-1h8v3a2.002 2.002 0 0 0 2 2h3v14a1 1 0 0 1-1 1ZM18 9.414 19.586 11H18ZM24 24h-1V12.829a2.982 2.982 0 0 0-.879-2.122l-3.828-3.828A2.98 2.98 0 0 0 16.171 6H11V5a1.001 1.001 0 0 1 1-1h8v3a2.002 2.002 0 0 0 2 2h3v14a1 1 0 0 1-1 1Zm-6-8h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0 4h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0 4h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Z"
              fill="#a6b8e6"
            ></path>
          </g>
        </svg>
      </button>
    </div>
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/notiflix@2.7.0/dist/notiflix-aio-2.7.0.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://content-media-cdn.codefinity.com/courses/c1087363-9025-4c37-8d5e-983a32a007e9/text-boxes-section/copyable-text-box.js"></script>
  </body>
</html>

Each commit is separated by a **frame of different colors** to improve visual distinction.
Because the detailed information about each commit may not fit on one screen, use the **arrow keys** to scroll up and down.


Note

Here, plus signs indicate **added lines**, and if any lines were **deleted**, they would appear with **minus** (dash) symbols.


## git show

The `git show` command displays detailed information about the changes introduced by a **specific commit**.
Basic syntax:

```bash
git show [commit]
```

Here, **[commit]** refers to the **hash** (identifier) of the commit you want to view.

Examine the output of the `git log -p` command, focusing on the **second latest** commit:


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/notiflix@2.7.0/dist/notiflix-aio-2.7.0.min.css"
    />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://content-media-cdn.codefinity.com/courses/c1087363-9025-4c37-8d5e-983a32a007e9/text-boxes-section/copyable-text-box.css"
    />
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="text-widget">
      
      
      <textarea class="text-field" id="Your id" style="height: 220px; max-width: 100%">
commit e3bd3aa851985adbe19048068ebf5fae623a07a1
Author: Kyryl Sidak <email@example.com>
Date:   Fri Nov 10 13:57:55 2023 +0200
    Subject: "Add description of Git"
    
    Body: "This commit introduces brief description of Git and highlights its key features. It also states the reasons for the widespread popularity of Git."
</textarea
      >
      <button class="copy-button" onclick="handleClick('Your id', 'widget1-notify')">
        <svg
          width="20"
          height="20"
          x="0"
          y="0"
          viewBox="0 0 32 32"
          style="enable-background: new 0 0 512 512"
          xml:space="preserve"
          class=""
        >
          <g>
            <path
              d="m26.121 6.707-3.828-3.828A2.98 2.98 0 0 0 20.172 2H12a3.003 3.003 0 0 0-3 3v1H8a3.003 3.003 0 0 0-3 3v18a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3 3h12a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3-3v-1h1a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3-3V8.829a2.982 2.982 0 0 0-.879-2.122ZM22 5.414 23.586 7H22ZM20 28H8a1.001 1.001 0 0 1-1-1V9a1.001 1.001 0 0 1 1-1h8v3a2.002 2.002 0 0 0 2 2h3v14a1 1 0 0 1-1 1ZM18 9.414 19.586 11H18ZM24 24h-1V12.829a2.982 2.982 0 0 0-.879-2.122l-3.828-3.828A2.98 2.98 0 0 0 16.171 6H11V5a1.001 1.001 0 0 1 1-1h8v3a2.002 2.002 0 0 0 2 2h3v14a1 1 0 0 1-1 1Zm-6-8h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0 4h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0 4h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Z"
              fill="#a6b8e6"
              opacity="1"
              data-original="#000000"
              class=""
            ></path>
          </g>
        </svg>
      </button>
    </div>
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/notiflix@2.7.0/dist/notiflix-aio-2.7.0.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://content-media-cdn.codefinity.com/courses/c1087363-9025-4c37-8d5e-983a32a007e9/text-boxes-section/copyable-text-box.js"></script>
  </body>
</html>

Here are the first few lines of the output for this commit. To use the `git show` command for this commit, copy its **hash** and run the following command:


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/notiflix@2.7.0/dist/notiflix-aio-2.7.0.min.css"
    />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://content-media-cdn.codefinity.com/courses/c1087363-9025-4c37-8d5e-983a32a007e9/text-boxes-section/copyable-text-box.css"
    />
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="text-widget">
      
      <input type="text" class="text-field" id="widget1-text" value="git show e3bd3aa851985adbe19048068ebf5fae623a07a1" />
      <button class="copy-button" onclick="handleClick('widget1-text', 'widget1-notify')">
        <svg width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xml:space="preserve">
          <g>
            <path
              d="m26.121 6.707-3.828-3.828A2.98 2.98 0 0 0 20.172 2H12a3.003 3.003 0 0 0-3 3v1H8a3.003 3.003 0 0 0-3 3v18a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3 3h12a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3-3v-1h1a3.003 3.003 0 0 0 3-3V8.829a2.982 2.982 0 0 0-.879-2.122ZM22 5.414 23.586 7H22ZM20 28H8a1.001 1.001 0 0 1-1-1V9a1.001 1.001 0 0 1 1-1h8v3a2.002 2.002 0 0 0 2 2h3v14a1 1 0 0 1-1 1ZM18 9.414 19.586 11H18ZM24 24h-1V12.829a2.982 2.982 0 0 0-.879-2.122l-3.828-3.828A2.98 2.98 0 0 0 16.171 6H11V5a1.001 1.001 0 0 1 1-1h8v3a2.002 2.002 0 0 0 2 2h3v14a1 1 0 0 1-1 1Zm-6-8h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0 4h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Zm0 4h-8a1 1 0 0 1 0-2h8a1 1 0 0 1 0 2Z"
              fill="#a6b8e6"
            ></path>
          </g>
        </svg>
      </button>
    </div>
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/notiflix@2.7.0/dist/notiflix-aio-2.7.0.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://content-media-cdn.codefinity.com/courses/c1087363-9025-4c37-8d5e-983a32a007e9/text-boxes-section/copyable-text-box.js"></script>
  </body>
</html>

Your commit hash may be different, so be sure to use the correct hash.

As you can see, the output is the same as for the `git log -p` command, but only for **one** commit.


What is the main difference between the `git log -p` and `git show` commands?

Git is the most popular version control system used by millions of developers around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a beginner, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to efficiently manage your software projects, collaborate with others, and master the art of version control.

First, we will provide an overview of version control systems in general. Afterwards we will discuss Git and learn the basics of creating a repository and making changes to it.

Now, it's time to discuss more advanced interaction with Git, which will boost your efficiency and make you more comfortable with some of the common Git workflows.

Being a Version Control System, Git allows you to undo changes when needed, so it's time to discover the techniques in Git to revert unstaged changes in the working tree, staged changes and even revert or overwrite commits.

Branches in Git are extremely useful when collaborating with other people, fixing bugs or developing certain features in your project. Without further ado, let's dive into all the nuances of working with branches.

Viewing Changes

git log -p

git show