Git Commands
Git is a distributed version control system initially designed and developed by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for Linux kernel development. Since its inception, Git has grown into a standard tool for developers to manage source code. Git commands are the primary interface for interacting with the Git system. Here's an overview:
Basic Git Commands
- git init - Initializes a new Git repository in the current directory.
- git clone - Creates a local copy of a remote repository.
- git add - Stages changes for the next commit.
- git commit - Records changes to the repository, with a commit message explaining the changes.
- git status - Shows the working directory's state and the staging area.
- git log - Displays the commit logs.
- git branch - Lists, creates, or deletes branches.
- git checkout - Switches branches or restores working tree files.
- git merge - Merges two or more development histories together.
- git pull - Fetches and integrates changes from a remote repository into the current branch.
- git push - Updates remote references along with associated objects.
Advanced Git Commands
- git rebase - Changes the base of your branch from one commit to another, allowing for a cleaner project history.
- git cherry-pick - Applies the changes introduced by some existing commits.
- git stash - Stashes changes temporarily, allowing you to work on something else, and then come back later.
- git reset - Resets the current HEAD to the specified state, with options to modify the index or the working tree.
- git revert - Creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by the specified commit, without altering the project history.
Context and History
Git commands were developed to address the shortcomings of older version control systems like CVS, Subversion, and BitKeeper. The need for a distributed system, where every developer had a full copy of the repository, and the ability to work offline, led to Git's creation. Key features like branching and merging were designed to facilitate parallel development and integration.
Git's command-line interface, although initially daunting for newcomers, offers powerful, flexible control over the version control process. The commands are not only for managing code but also for collaboration, as Git supports various workflows like Gitflow and GitHub Flow.
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