Advanced Git Commands
Welcome to this comprehensive, student-friendly guide on advanced Git commands! Whether you’re a coding bootcamp student, a self-learner, or just someone eager to deepen your Git knowledge, this tutorial is for you. We’ll explore some of the more advanced features of Git, breaking them down into easy-to-understand concepts with practical examples. Don’t worry if this seems complex at first—you’re in the right place to master these skills! 🚀
What You’ll Learn 📚
- Understanding advanced Git concepts
- Key terminology and definitions
- Practical examples with step-by-step explanations
- Troubleshooting common issues
Core Concepts
Before diving into advanced commands, let’s quickly revisit some core Git concepts:
- Repository: A storage space where your project lives. It can be local to your computer or hosted on a platform like GitHub.
- Commit: A snapshot of your changes. Think of it as a save point in a video game.
- Branch: A separate line of development. Imagine working on a feature without affecting the main project.
Key Terminology
- Rebase: A way to integrate changes from one branch into another, rewriting commit history to create a linear path.
- Cherry-pick: A command to apply a specific commit from one branch onto another.
- Stash: Temporarily saves changes that are not ready to be committed.
Starting Simple: The Rebase Command
Example 1: Basic Rebase
# First, ensure you are on the branch you want to rebase onto master
git checkout feature-branch
# Now, rebase your current branch onto master
git rebase masterIn this example, you’re on a feature-branch and want to integrate changes from master. The git rebase master command will apply your feature branch commits on top of the latest commits from master, creating a linear history.
Progressively Complex Examples
Example 2: Interactive Rebase
# Start an interactive rebase for the last 3 commits
git rebase -i HEAD~3This command opens an editor where you can reorder, squash, or edit commits. It’s a powerful way to clean up your commit history before sharing your work.
Example 3: Cherry-pick a Commit
# Find the commit hash you want to cherry-pick
git log
# Apply the commit to your current branch
git cherry-pick Use git log to find the commit hash you need. The git cherry-pick command applies that specific commit to your current branch, allowing you to selectively integrate changes.
Example 4: Using Stash
# Stash your changes
git stash
# List all stashes
git stash list
# Apply the latest stash
git stash applyStashing is useful when you need to switch branches but aren’t ready to commit your changes. You can stash them away, switch branches, and then apply the stash when you’re ready.
Common Questions and Answers
- What is the difference between merge and rebase?
Merge combines branches and creates a new commit, while rebase rewrites commit history to create a linear sequence of commits.
- Why would I use cherry-pick?
Cherry-pick is useful for applying specific changes from one branch to another without merging the entire branch.
- How do I resolve conflicts during a rebase?
Git will pause the rebase process and allow you to manually resolve conflicts. After resolving, use
git rebase --continueto proceed. - What happens if I abort a rebase?
Aborting a rebase with
git rebase --abortwill return your branch to its original state before the rebase started.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter conflicts during a rebase, don’t panic! Git provides clear instructions on how to resolve them. Follow the prompts, resolve conflicts, and continue with the rebase.
Remember, you can always use
git reflogto find lost commits if something goes wrong.
Practice Exercises
- Try rebasing a feature branch onto the main branch and resolve any conflicts that arise.
- Use cherry-pick to apply a specific commit from one branch to another.
- Experiment with stashing changes and applying them on a different branch.
For more information, check out the official Git documentation.