Merge branch 'es/doc-stdout-vs-stderr'

Coding guideline document has been updated to clarify what goes to
standard error in our system.

* es/doc-stdout-vs-stderr:
  CodingGuidelines: document which output goes to stdout vs. stderr
This commit is contained in:
Junio C Hamano 2021-12-15 09:39:49 -08:00
commit 212962deba

View file

@ -499,6 +499,33 @@ For Python scripts:
- Where required libraries do not restrict us to Python 2, we try to
also be compatible with Python 3.1 and later.
Program Output
We make a distinction between a Git command's primary output and
output which is merely chatty feedback (for instance, status
messages, running transcript, or progress display), as well as error
messages. Roughly speaking, a Git command's primary output is that
which one might want to capture to a file or send down a pipe; its
chatty output should not interfere with these use-cases.
As such, primary output should be sent to the standard output stream
(stdout), and chatty output should be sent to the standard error
stream (stderr). Examples of commands which produce primary output
include `git log`, `git show`, and `git branch --list` which generate
output on the stdout stream.
Not all Git commands have primary output; this is often true of
commands whose main function is to perform an action. Some action
commands are silent, whereas others are chatty. An example of a
chatty action commands is `git clone` with its "Cloning into
'<path>'..." and "Checking connectivity..." status messages which it
sends to the stderr stream.
Error messages from Git commands should always be sent to the stderr
stream.
Error Messages
- Do not end error messages with a full stop.