What is the function of a commit object in Git?

In Git, a commit object is a data structure used to store each commit record in a code repository. Each commit creates a new commit object that includes the author’s information, timestamp, message, and a pointer to the parent commit object.

The functions of the commit object include:

1. History tracking in Git is done through creating a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure of commit objects, which records the order and relationship of each commit in the code repository. This allows Git to easily backtrack, navigate, and manage the commit history.
2. Version control: Each commit object saves a snapshot of the files committed, allowing for the restoration of specific versions in the code repository. By switching to different commit objects, the codebase can be reverted back to previous states.
3. Branching and merging: By pointing to parent commit objects, commit objects form a branching structure. This allows Git to easily create, switch, and merge branches while maintaining the complete commit history of each branch.
4. Tags can be created for specific commit objects to identify important milestones or version numbers. Tags make it easy to reference and share specific commit objects.

In conclusion, the commit object is a crucial data structure in Git that keeps track of the repository’s history and version information, supporting features like version control, branch management, and tagging.