Commits by File Type

File Type Distribution in the Codebase

Overview
As your codebase evolves, it can become increasingly difficult to track which technologies or programming languages are being used and how they are distributed across the project. Analyzing the distribution of file types in your codebase helps you understand what skills are needed, which areas of the code require more attention, and how your team’s focus is shifting over time.

What Does This Metric Measure?

This metric provides insights into the distribution of file types within your codebase. By examining the types of files being modified (e.g., JavaScript, Python, HTML), you can gauge:

• The purpose of different parts of the codebase

• How resources (time, team effort) are being allocated across various technologies

• Potential areas of growth or shift in technology adoption

Monitoring this data helps you make informed decisions about team composition, training needs, and future investments in different technologies.

How Is This Metric Calculated?

Allstacks calculates this data by:

1. Scanning all repositories: It scans the connected repositories and examines each commit.

2. Identifying file types: The system identifies the file types based on the file extension (e.g., .js, .py, .java).

3. Counting line changes: The metric is based on the total number of lines changed in each file type, which is calculated as:

   • Lines Added + Lines Removed for each file type.

This gives a measure of how much work is being done in each technology area based on recent changes.

What Questions Can I Answer from This Data?

The File Type Distribution metric provides answers to several important questions:

1. Which file types consistently have the highest or lowest commit volume?
   This helps you understand which technologies are being actively developed or maintained. High commit volume in a particular file type may indicate areas of the codebase that are evolving rapidly or require ongoing attention.

2. Are there any correlations between commit volume by file type and project milestones or team activities?
   You can explore whether spikes or shifts in commit volume are linked to specific milestones, development phases, or team activities, such as feature releases or bug fixing.

3. What are the emerging trends in the codebase’s technology usage?
   Track how your codebase is evolving in terms of the technologies being used. For example, a growing volume of commits in a new file type could indicate that the team is adopting a new technology or framework.

What Should I Take Away from This Data?

1. Shifting Focus to New Technologies
   A shift toward new file types or technologies may signal the adoption of a new framework or language, helping guide skill development and hiring decisions.

2. Maintenance Burden by Technology
   High change frequency in a specific file type may indicate maintenance challenges or frequent updates. This insight can inform refactoring or investing in more efficient tools.

3. Staffing and Team Restructuring
   Understanding which technologies require the most attention can help guide staffing decisions or training to build expertise in high-priority areas.

4. Investment in Future Technologies
   Growing commit volumes in certain file types suggest areas to invest in or focus on. Conversely, low activity in others may signal the need to reduce investment.

Conclusion

Tracking file type distribution provides valuable insights into the evolution of your codebase and helps you understand where to focus your team’s resources. By analyzing this data, you can make strategic decisions around staffing, training, technology adoption, and investments. Regularly reviewing this metric helps ensure that your team is well-equipped to meet both current and future challenges.