git submodules - Git: Find out which branch contains a commit and check it out? -

from i've learned here submodules, can roll submodules right commit using

git submodule update --recursive 

however, submodules never (rarely?) in branch. think branch submodule needs not stored. anyway, can use

git branch --contains head 

in submodule , figure out branch , switch it. there built-in way this? goal branch contains commit (if there one).

by default, git doesn't track submodules branches, tracks them commits. git submodule update result in submodules being in detached head state (similar if git checkout specific commit hash). before doing work, you'll have make sure check out branch, otherwise things messy.

as of git 1.8.2, can have submodules track branches. option needs specified when add submodule:

git submodule add -b master <git repo url>

if track submodules via branches, you'll want add --remote update call:

git submodule update --remote

you can read more tracking submodules via branches here , here.