Git Diff Code Differences With Netbeans

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Netbeans Git graphic to signify Gif Diff Saving

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Visually Diff Using IDE

Apache Netbeans can use existing Git versioned projects. Simple drag the existing project folder into Netbeans.

The Netbeans Source Editor will display real-time changes to files as they are modified. By default, the Blue lines indicate that changes since the earlier revision. Green indicates lines that have been added since the earlier revision. Read indicates lines removed since the earlier revision.
Meld can perform three-way comparison if desired. Merge branches, resolve conflicts visually side-by-side for popular version control systems such as Git. Netbeans is free, open source and cross-platform (Mac, Windows and Linux) popular IDEs.

Identical files will not produce an output. It is not wise for Binary files to be opened directly.

The focus of this tutorial will be on the differences between individual files and their Git history.

  1. Create a Git-tracked project if one is missing.
  2. Open the project in Netbeans.
  3. Select a file that is color=coded.
  4. Review the history.
  5. Export a patch.

Requirements For Using Netbeans

Glossary:

Distributed Version Control System

(DVCS) tracks versions of files.

Software Collaboration

Teams working together on projects.

Repository

Project storage space where all changes to files are tracked.

Branch

Enables developers to work on different versions of the project.

Stage

Prepare for a commit by adding files to a staging area.

Commit

Captures staged changes as a snapshot to add to repository’s history.

Diff

Generate set of differences between 2 files or folders.

Patch

Apply a set of differences to update files.

IDE

Integrated Development Environment is a software application used for software development.

Patch

Set of differences.

Diff

Tool used to compare files or sets of files and highlight their differences.

Merge

Combines changes from different versions or branches of a project into a single, unified version.

Tools

Programming Tools
Name Description Example
Text editor For creating and editing source code Apache Netbeans IDE
SSH Secure Shell Client OpenSSH
Shell Access Access to the command line. Terminal
Name Description Example

Create Local Repository

# Create New Project Folder If Applicable #
mkdir localproject
# Enter Project Folder #
cd localproject
# Initialize Local Repository As Working Folder #
git init

Add New File To Local Repository

# Create New File #
echo "Did you know that Ojambo.com has a donate button" > Readme.txt
# Start Tracking A Specific File (Stage) With Git #
git add Readme.txt
# Add A Message And Commit Changes With Git #
git commit -m "Initial Commit"

Modify Current File

# Edit File #
echo "and that it is found in the header bar." >> Readme.txt
cat Readme.txt
# Check Status #
git status

Explanation:

  1. Drag the existing project folder into Netbeans or create a new project with Git and git commit at least once.
  2. The IDE will show differences via different colors.
  3. Exporting the differences as a patch or attaching to issue makes code reviews easier.

Apache Netbeans allows a user to view tracked files in a Git repository and export patches.

Netbeans Existing Git Project
Apache Netbeans Visual Representation Of Existing Git Project

Netbeans Git Color Coded Project File
Apache Netbeans Visual Representation Of Opened Project File

Netbeans Visually Comparing Git History
Apache Netbeans Visual Comparison Of Git History Of Opened File

Netbeans Git Diff Menu Options
Apache Netbeans Git Diff Context Menu Opens For Opened File

Netbeans Git Patches Menu Options
Apache Netbeans Git Patches Context Menu Opens For Opened File

Netbeans Git Diff Patch Save Dialog
Apache Netbeans Export Diff Patch Dialog With Save Option And Issue Attachment Option

Netbeans Diff Patch Contents
Apache Netbeans Displaying Exported Diff Patch Contents


Usage

You can start Netbeans on the command-line, file manager or from the application start menu. For this tutorial, Git Diff was used on text files in a project already tracked by GIt. Apache Netbeans can be downloaded from Netbeans. Netbeans IDE provides integrate support for Git, but i prefer to have a standalone copy that can be downloaded from Distributed Version Control System. Then the downloaded file is extracted directly on the server or locally before individual files are uploaded if applicable.

Open Source

Git is licensed under the GNU General Public License Version 2.0. The copyleft license comes with strict rules and requirements to ensure the software remains free and open-source. It allows commercial use, modification, distribution, and allows making derivatives proprietary, consult the license for more specific details.

Netbeans is licensed under the Apache License Version 2.0. The permissive license has conditions requiring preservation of copyright and license notices. It allows commercial use, modification, distribution, and allows making derivatives proprietary, consult the license for more specific details

Conclusion:

Apache Netbeans is a very powerful integrated programming environment. Netbeans has a visual diff and merge tool. Developers can use the tool streamline code reviews and resolve conflicts. Netbeans compliments source code management version control systems such as Git in display diffs.

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