GIT Commands Cheatsheet

GIT is a Version Control System (VCS) that helps developers manage changes to their codebase. Here are the key points:

Version Control
- Git tracks changes to files over time.
- It allows you to revert to previous versions, collaborate with others, and manage code history.
Distributed System
- Each developer has a complete copy of the repository.
- Changes can be synchronised between local and remote repositories.
Basic Concepts
- Repository: A project’s folder managed by Git.
- Commit: A snapshot of changes (code, files) with a unique hash.
- Branch: Independent line of development.
- Merge: Combining changes from one branch into another.
- Pull Request (PR): Proposing changes to a repository.
Branching Strategies:
- Feature Branches: Isolate new features or bug fixes.
- Main Branch (usually ‘master’ or ‘main’): Represents stable code.
- Release Branches: Prepare for production releases.
Collaboration:
- Git enables collaboration among developers.
- Platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket host Git repositories.
Common Commands : Let’s explore some of the commonly used Git commands along with their explanations and examples. These commands are essential for managing your Git repositories effectively.
1. git init

Initialises a new Git repository in the current directory.
Creates a hidden .git subfolder to store version control data.
```
  git init
```

Creates a local copy of a remote Git repository.
Useful for starting work on an existing project.
```
  git clone <repository_url>
```

Records changes in the repository.
Creates a snapshot of the staged changes.
```
  git commit -m "Add new feature"
```

Fetches changes from a remote repository.
Updates your local branch with the latest changes.
```
  git pull origin main
```

Lists existing branches or creates a new branch.
Useful for managing different features or bug fixes.
```
  git branch feature-branch
```

Combines changes from one branch into another.
Merges feature branches into the main branch.
```
  git merge feature-branch
```

Temporarily saves changes without committing.
Useful for switching branches without losing work.
```
  git stash save "Work in progress"
```

Advanced Commands : Let’s delve deeper into advanced Git commands and explore additional details about Git. Understanding these commands will enhance your proficiency in version control.
1. git log

Displays a chronological list of commits in the repository.
Useful for tracking changes, understanding commit history, and identifying authors.
```
  git log
```

Unstages the changes from the staging area.
Can be used to uncommit changes (with options like --soft, --mixed, or --hard).
Example for unstaging the changes to a file:
```
  git reset myfile.txt
```
Example for uncommit the changes:
```
  git reset --soft HEAD^
```

Reapplies commits from one branch onto another.
Useful for maintaining a linear commit history.
Example for rebase feature branch onto main branch:
```
  git checkout feature
  git rebase main
```

Selectively applies specific commits from one branch to another.
Useful for incorporating specific changes without merging entire branches.
```
  git cherry-pick <commit_hash>
```

Creates a named reference to a specific commit (e.g., for releases or milestones).
Useful for marking important points in history.
```
  git tag v1.0.0
```

Binary search through commit history.

  git bisect start
  git bisect bad <bad_commit>
  git bisect good <good_commit>

Useful for including external libraries or projects.

  git submodule add <repository_url> path/to/submodule

Shows a log of all references (branches, HEAD, stashes) even after they’ve been deleted.
Useful for recovering lost commits or branches.
```
  git reflog
```

Sandeep Choudhary