I found that when clicking "Submit Patch Set" in the Gerrit web interface, it'll either simply add a commit to that branch, or create a merge commit if another commit was submitted just before.
Example that creates 2 commit: The actual commit and a merge commit:
- User submits patchset A depending on commit O
- User submits patchset B depending on commit O
- Submit Patch Set A
- Submit Patch Set B --> Creates merge commit between O -> A and O -> B
There is a "Rebase Change" button which is great but it means that to submit a patch set everyone should always do:
- Click Rebase Change
- Click Submit Change Set
The only reason I see a merge commit useful is to keep dates of the commits (but I do understand why it is required without a rebase).
Isn't there an automatic rebase or at least a check to avoid generating an undesired merge commit?