10 Most Essential Git Commands: Must-Have Knowledge for Developers

Hey there, fellow coding enthusiasts! If you're anything like me, you know that version control is the backbone of efficient and organized software development. When it comes to version control, Git reigns supreme.

Intro

Git is a powerful tool that allows you to track changes, collaborate with others, and maintain code integrity effortlessly. In this blog post, I am going to share with you the 10 most essential Git commands that everyone, from beginners to seasoned developers, should know. These commands are the building blocks of a smooth Git journey.

1. git init

The journey begins with git init. This command initializes a new Git repository in your project directory. It's like giving birth to your code, creating a clean slate for Git to work its magic.

git init

2. git clone

Need to grab a copy of a remote repository? The git clone command is your go-to. It creates a local copy of a remote repository, ready for you to work on.

git clone <repository_url>

<repository_url> should be replaced with the actual URL of the repository which you want to clone. e.g. git clonehttps://github.com/sazidthe1/100DaysOfCode.git

3. git add

Before you commit changes, you need to tell Git which files to include in the next commit. git add stages change for commit. There are two commands for adding files.

Single/specific file:

git add <file_name>

<file_name> should be replaced with your actual file name. e.g. git add day1.py

Multiple files:

git add <file1> <file2>

<file1> and <file2> should be replaced with the actual names of the files you want to stage. e.g. git add requirements.txt project.py

All the changes:

git add .

4. git commit

Once your changes are staged, it's time to make a commit. Think of commits as snapshots of your code at a specific point in time. Each commit comes with a message that describes the changes you made.

git commit -m "Your commit message here"

5. git pull

Working in a team? Use git pull to fetch and merge changes from a remote repository into your local branch.

git pull

6. git push

On the flip side, git push is used to send your committed changes to a remote repository. It's essential for collaboration.

git push

7. git branch

Branches are incredibly useful for working on different features or fixing bugs independently. git branch helps you manage and create branches.

git branch <branch_name>

8. git checkout

To switch between branches or specific commits, you can use git checkout. It's like teleporting between different versions of your project.

git checkout <branch_name or commit_hash>

9. git merge

When you're done with a feature or bug fix, it's time to merge your changes back into the main branch. git merge helps you do just that.

git merge <branch_name>

10. git log

Curious about the history of your project? git log provides a chronological list of commits, including commit messages, authors, and timestamps.

git log

And there you have it, the top 10 essential Git commands! Mastering these commands will set you on the path to becoming a Git pro.

But remember, Git is a vast and powerful tool with many more features to explore. Here are some additional Git commands with their respective code snippets:

1. git status: Check the status of your working directory and see which files are modified, staged, or untracked.

    git status
   

2. git diff: View the changes made to your files before staging or committing them.

    git diff
   

3. git checkout -b: Create and switch to a new branch in one command.

    git checkout -b <new_branch_name>
   

4. git remote: List all remote repositories associated with your local Git project.

    git remote -v
   

5. git fetch: Download changes from a remote repository but don't automatically merge them.

    git fetch
   

6. git stash: Temporarily save your changes and revert your working directory to the last committed state. Useful for switching branches without committing unfinished work.

    git stash
   

7. git cherry-pick: Select and apply specific commits from one branch to another.

    git cherry-pick <commit_hash>
   

8. git rebase: Reorganize the commit history by moving, squashing, or editing commits interactively.

    git rebase -i <base_commit>
   

9. git reset: Unstage changes or move the HEAD pointer to a different commit, without creating a new commit.

    git reset <commit_or_file>
   

10. git tag: Create, list, or delete tags for specific commits, making it easier to reference important points in your history.

    git tag <tag_name> <commit_hash>
    

These additional Git commands will help you become more proficient in managing your version-controlled projects. As you continue to learn and use Git, you'll find these commands invaluable for your daily development tasks.

Resources

For further reading and learning, here are some excellent resources:

1. Official Git Documentation: The official Git documentation is a comprehensive guide to Git's features and commands.

2. Git Cheat Sheet by GitHub: GitHub offers interactive courses on Git and GitHub, providing hands-on experience in a practical context.

3. Git Cheat Sheet by Atlassian: Atlassian's tutorials cover Git concepts and commands in a straightforward and user-friendly way.

Tutorial (Hands-on practice)

In English: Git and GitHub for Beginners Crash Course

In Hindi: Complete Git and GitHub Tutorial

In Bangla: Crash Course on Git and GitHub

So, grab your favorite text editor, fire up your terminal, and start your Git journey today. Happy coding!