History records how snapshots connect. A one-line log is useful for locating subjects and short identifiers; the graph and all options show branch relationships beyond the current tip. The order is newest first by default. Read a commit as a snapshot in a graph rather than a numbered version of one file. These tasks ask for a complete concise history view, including a side branch that a current-branch-only log would omit. The all option follows named branch tips, while graph draws parent relationships. A side commit can be absent from main without being lost. Locate the branch reference before deciding whether recovery is necessary.