Git Essentials: The commands you'll actually use as a Developer
Shagun Mistry
Posted on September 5, 2024
I've worked as a Software Developer and Engineer for past 9 years.
Based on my career at over 10 different companies, I've created a list of git commands that are of use in most of the normal day-to-day development:
-
git status
: Your trusty guide. Tells you what files have been changed, added, or are untracked. Use it frequently to stay on top of your project's state. -
git add .
: Stages all changes in your current directory, preparing them to be included in the next commit. Remember the dot! -
git commit -m "your message here"
: Saves your changes with a descriptive message. Good commit messages are like breadcrumbs for future you! -
git checkout <branch_name>
: Switches to a different branch. Think of branches like parallel universes for your code. -
git checkout -
: A quick way to jump back to the branch you were on previously. Like a handy "undo" button for branches. -
git merge <branch_name>
: Combines changes from another branch into your current one. -
git pull
: Fetches the latest changes from a remote repository and merges them into your current branch. Stay in sync with your team. -
git reset --hard
: Caution! Discards all uncommitted changes in your working directory. Use with care when you need a clean slate. -
git stash
: Temporarily saves your changes without committing them. Useful when you need to switch branches but aren't ready to commit yet. -
git stash pop
: Reapplies your stashed changes. Bring back those changes when you're ready to work on them again. -
git cherry-pick -m 1 <commit_hash>
: Applies a specific commit from another branch to your current branch. The-m 1
is crucial when the commit is part of a merge, ensuring you pick the correct change. Use this sparingly to avoid messy history.
Bonus Tip:
- Use
git log
to view the commit history. It's like a time machine for your code!
Master these, and you'll be well on your way to Git mastery!
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Shagun Mistry
Posted on September 5, 2024
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