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Basic Git Commands

To use Git, developers use specific commands to copy, create, change, and combine code. Some of the most important and most used commands in git are:

  • git init: Initializes a brand new Git repository and begins tracking an existing directory. It adds a hidden subfolder within the existing directory that houses the internal data structure required for version control.

  • git clone: Creates a local copy of a project that already exists remotely. The clone includes all the project’s files, history, and branches.

  • git add: Snapshots the file in preparation for versioning, adding it to the staging area.

  • git commit: Records file snapshots permanently in version history.

  • git status: Shows the status of changes as untracked, modified, or staged.

  • git branch: Shows the branches being worked on locally.

  • git checkout: Switches to the specified branch and updates the working directory.

  • git merge: Merges lines of development together. This command is typically used to combine changes made on two distinct branches.

  • git pull: Updates the local line of development with updates from its remote counterpart. Developers use this command if a teammate has made commits to a branch on a remote, and they would like to reflect those changes in their local environment.

  • git push: Updates the remote repository with any commits made locally to a branch.

  • git remote -v: Show the associated remote repositories and their stored name.

  • git tag: Tag specific points in a repository’s history.