Want to manage while tracking changes or update your codebase efficiently using Git commands. Git commands are widely used in the software development community to perform various tasks, such as tracking changes to your code, creating branches, and merging changes.
GIT, an extensively employed open-source version control system (VCS), serves as a means to monitor modifications made to files. In software and application development, companies and programmers frequently rely on GIT to foster collaboration.
A GIT project encompasses three principal segments: the working directory, the staging area, and the git directory.
The working directory serves as the space where additions, deletions, and file modifications occur. Subsequently, these alterations are staged or indexed within the staging area. Once you commit the changes, a snapshot capturing the modifications is stored within the git directory.
Now that you know the basic and principal segments of Git and Git commands, then let’s get into Git terminology first.
Git Terminology
Git offers vast amounts of terminology and jargon to their commands, which can be confusing for some users. or those who are familiar with Git basics but aspire to master it. Therefore, we need to briefly explain the vocabulary used by the tools. Let’s examine the terminologies that are frequently used.
Here is a official site – Git – gitglossary Documentation
- Branch: A branch represents a parallel iteration of your project.
- Commit: A commit denotes a snapshot capturing the historical state of your project.
- Diff: A diff entails a comparison between two versions of a file.
- HEAD: HEAD signifies the present snapshot of your project.
- Index: The index acts as an intermediary area for staging impending commit changes.
- Log: The log provides a record of your project’s chronological progression.
- Merge: Merging entails the amalgamation of alterations from two branches.
- Remote: A remote designates a repository external to your local repository.
- Rebase: Rebasing involves aligning your local branch with changes made in a remote branch.
- Reset: Resetting involves reverting changes made to your local repository.
- Revert: Reverting involves undoing a previous commit.
- Staging area: The staging area serves as a temporary storage location for imminent commit modifications.
- Tag: A tag serves as a reference to a specific commit.
- Working directory: The working directory signifies the current working location where you operate.
Git Commands
Here is a list of Git commands with their descriptions.
- Main porcelain commands
| Commands | Description |
| git-add | Adds file contents to the index |
| git-am | Apply many fixes obtained from a mailbox |
| git-archive | Makes a file archive from a named tree. |
| git-bisect | Uses binary search to find the commit that introduced a bug |
| git-branch | Lists, creates, or deletes branches |
| git-bundle | Moves objects and refs by archive |
| git-checkout | Switches branches or restores working tree files |
| git-cherry-pick | Applies the changes introduced by some existing commits |
| git-citool | Graphical alternative to git-commit |
| git-clean | Removes untracked files from the working tree |
| git-clone | Clones a repository into a new directory |
| git-commit | Records changes to the repository |
| git-describe | Gives an object a human-readable name based on an available ref |
| git-diff | changes between commits, between a commit and the working tree, etc. |
| git-fetch | Downloads objects and refs from another repository |
| git-format-patch | Prepares patches for email submission |
| git-gc | optimizes the local repository and removes unneeded files |
| git-grep | Prints lines matching a pattern |
| git-gui | A portable graphical interface to Git |
| git-init | Either creates a new, empty Git repository or resets an existing one. |
| git-log | Shows commit logs |
| git-maintenance | Runs tasks to optimize Git repository data |
| git-merge | Joins two or more development histories together |
| git-mv | Changes the name or location of a file, directory, or symlink. |
| git-notes | Adds or inspects object notes |
| git-pull | Obtains data from and merges it with a local branch or a different repository. |
| git-push | Updates remote refs along with associated objects |
| git-range-diff | Compares two commit ranges (e.g., two versions of a branch) |
| git-rebase | Reapplies commits over another base recommendation |
| git-reset | Resets current HEAD to the specified state |
| git-restore | Restores working tree files |
| git-revert | Reverts some existing commits |
| git-rm | Deletes files from the index and the working tree. |
| git-shortlog | Summarizes git log output |
| git-show | Shows various types of objects |
| git-sparse-checkout | Reduces your working tree to a subset of tracked files |
| git-stash | Stashes the modifications in an unclean working directory. |
| git-status | Shows the working tree status |
| git-submodule | Initializes, updates, or inspects submodules |
| git-switch | Switches branches |
| git-tag | Creates, lists, deletes, or checks a tag object that is GPG-signed. |
| git-worktree | Manages multiple working trees |
Ancillary Commands
- Manipulators:
| Commands | Description |
| git-config | Get and set repository or global options |
| git-fast-export | Git data exporter |
| git-fast-import | Backend for fast Git data importers |
| git-filter-branch | Rewrite branches |
| git-mergetool | To resolve merge conflicts, use merge conflict resolution software. |
| git-pack-refs | Pack heads and tags for quick access to the repository |
| git-prune | Trim the object database of any inaccessible items. |
| git-reflog | Manage reflog information |
| git-remote | Manage a set of tracked repositories |
| git-repack | Pack unpack objects in a repository |
| git-replace | To replace objects, create, list, or remove references. |
- Interrogators
| Commands | Description |
| git-annotate | Annotate file lines with commit information |
| git-blame | Display revision and author information for each line of a file |
| git-cherry | Find commits that are yet to be applied to the upstream |
| git-count-objects | Count the number of unpacked items and the amount of disc space they take up. |
| git-diff-files | Compare files between the working tree and the index |
| git-diff-index | A tree’s comparison with the working tree or index |
| git-difftool | Show changes using external diff tools |
| git-for-each-ref | Output information on each reference |
| git-fsck | Verify the connectivity and validity of objects in the database |
| git-get-tar-commit-id | Extract commit ID from an archive created using git-archive |
| git-help | Display help information about Git |
| git-instaweb | Quickly browse your working repository using gitweb |
| git-merge-base | Find the most recent common ancestor for a merge |
| git-merge-file | Perform a three-way file merge |
| git-merge-index | Merge files that require merging |
| git-merge-one-file | The standard helper program for git-merge-tree |
| git-mergetool | Run merge conflict resolution tools |
| git-mergetool–lib | Common file conflict resolution functions |
| git-mktag | Create a tag object |
| git-name-rev | Find symbolic names for given revisions |
| git-pack-objects | Create a packed archive of objects |
| git-prune | Get rid of all inaccessible items in the object database. |
| git-prune-packed | Remove redundant objects that are already in pack files |
| git-quiltimport | Apply a quilt patchset onto the current branch |
| git-read-tree | Read tree information into the index |
| git-receive-pack | Receive and apply pushed changes to the repository |
| git-repack | Pack unpacked objects in the repository |
| git-replace | To replace objects, create, list, or remove references. |
| git-rerere | Reuse recorded resolutions of conflicted merges |
| git-send-email | Send a collection of patches as emails |
| git-sh-i18n | Git’s internationalization setup code for shell scripts |
| git-shell | Restricted login shell for Git-only SSH access |
| git-sh-setup | Common Git shell script setup code |
| git-sh-i18n–envsubst | Git’s internationalization setup code for scripts that use envsubst |
| git-show-index | Show the packed archive index |
| git-show-ref | List references in a local repository |
| git-stage | Add file contents to the staging area |
| git-stripspace | Remove unnecessary whitespace |
| git-symbolic-ref | Read, modify, or delete symbolic references |
| git-tar-tree | Create a tar archive of files in a named tree object |
| git-unpack-file | Create a temporary file with the contents of a blob |
| git-unpack-objects | Unpack objects from a packed archive |
| git-update-index | Add file contents in the working tree to the index |
| git-update-ref | Update the object name stored in a reference |
| git-upload-archive | Send an archive back to git-archive |
| git-upload-pack | Send packed objects back to git-fetch-pack |
| git-var | Show a Git logical variable |
| git-verify-pack | Validate packed Git archive files |
| git-write-tree | Make a tree object starting with the current index. |
| git-checkout-index | Copy files from the index to the working tree |
| git-commit-tree | Create a new commit object |
| git-hash-object | Compute the object ID and optionally create a blob from a file |
| git-mktree | Build a tree object from ls-tree formatted text |
| git-pack-refs | Pack heads and tags for quick access to the repository |
| git-revert | Revert existing commits |
| git-show | Show various types of objects |
| git-show-branch | Show branches and their commits |
| git-show-index | Show the packed archive index |
| git-show-ref | List references in a local repository |
| git-stash | Stash changes in a dirty working directory |
| git-status | Show the status of the working tree |
| git-switch | Switch branches |
| git-tag | A tag object can be created, listed, removed, or verified. |
| git-unpack-objects | Unpack objects from a packed archive |
| git-update-index | Add file contents in the working tree to the index |
| git-update-ref | Update the object name stored in a reference |
| git-worktree | Manage multiple working trees |
| git-write-tree | Create a tree object from the current index |
If you want even more commands, such as Interrogation commands, Syncing repositories, Internal helper commands, even Guides. You want can find it here on their official directory – git Documentation
Conclusion
Git commands encompass a wide range of functionalities, providing comprehensive support for version control. Attempting to memorize the entirety of Git commands can be overwhelming and impractical. However, leveraging these commands when working on complex projects can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency. If there are any crucial commands that I may have overlooked or if you have additional insights to contribute, I invite you to leave a comment below. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are vital for mastering the Git workflow.
FAQs on Git Commands
Q1: What are Git commands?
Git commands are a set of instructions used with the Git version control system to perform various operations such as initializing a repository, tracking changes, creating branches, merging code, collaborating with others, and more.
Q2: Why are Git commands important?
Git commands are essential for developers as they provide a structured way to manage and track changes in their projects. These commands enable efficient collaboration, version control, and code management, making it easier to work on software development projects.
Q3: How do I start using Git commands?
To start using Git commands, you first need to install Git on your computer. Once installed, you can open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where your project resides. From there, you can use various Git commands to initialize a repository and perform other operations.
Q4: What are some common Git commands?
Some common Git commands include:
- git init: Initializes a new Git repository.
- git add: Adds a file or changes to the staging area.
- git commit -m “message”: Commits the changes with a descriptive message.
- git push: Pushes local changes to a remote repository.
- git pull: Fetches and merges changes from a remote repository.
- git branch: Lists all branches in the repository.
- git merge: Merges changes from one branch into another.
