The following PR adds placeholder text in the commit log template to remind authors to explain why a change fixes a bug:
Bug 248012: Update commit message template to request a brief explanation of why a PR fixes the bug
It looks like this:
Need a short description (OOPS!).
Need the bug URL (OOPS!).
Include a Radar link (OOPS!).
Reviewed by NOBODY (OOPS!).
Short explanation why this fixes the bug (OOPS!).
* path/to/File.cpp:
(Method::Name):
Since this is effectively a policy change, Jonathan suggested I post it here first before the change is landed.
I believe many WebKit contributors already do this anyway, and it’s always been a best-practice to explain why a change fixes a bug (vs. what a patch does, which is usually obvious by reading the code), so this text just serves as a reminder to write a short explanation for every relevant patch.
Note that the line may be simply be deleted when it doesn’t apply (such as gardening, a build fix, etc.).