1 files changed, 34 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/Documentation/CodingGuidelines b/Documentation/CodingGuidelines
index 711cb9171e..c37c43186e 100644
--- a/Documentation/CodingGuidelines
+++ b/Documentation/CodingGuidelines
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ code.  For Git in general, a few rough rules are:
    go and fix it up."
    Cf. http://lkml.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1001.3/01069.html
 
+ - Log messages to explain your changes are as important as the
+   changes themselves.  Clearly written code and in-code comments
+   explain how the code works and what is assumed from the surrounding
+   context.  The log messages explain what the changes wanted to
+   achieve and why the changes were necessary (more on this in the
+   accompanying SubmittingPatches document).
+
 Make your code readable and sensible, and don't try to be clever.
 
 As for more concrete guidelines, just imitate the existing code
@@ -499,6 +506,33 @@ 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.