Utilizing Advanced Git to Increase My Productivity in Software Development

Image source: https://rubicotech.com/blog/advanced-git-features/

Hey guys, in this article I want to share about my experience using GIT. Global Information Tracker is a widely used version control system that revolutionized the way software developers collaborate and manage code. In this blog, we will explore some advanced GIT features such as cherry pick, revert, stash, and others. We’ll delve into their explanations, provide examples, discuss the advantages of using GIT in software development, and touch upon any potential disadvantages.

GIT Basics

Before diving into advanced GIT techniques, let’s quickly recap the basic concepts. GIT allows developers to track changes in their codebase, collaborate with others, and manage different versions of their project. Key commands include commit (to save changes), branch (to create new branches), merge (to combine branches), and remote operations such as clone, pull, and push (to interact with remote repositories).

Explanation and Example of Clone, Pull, Push, Cherry Pick, Revert, Stash, etc.

Clone

The clone command creates a copy of a remote repository on your local computer. For example, if you have a remote repository called origin, you can clone it with the following command:

git clone origin

This will create a new directory called origin on your computer. The origin directory will contain a copy of all the files in the remote repository.

Pull

The pull command fetches the latest changes from a remote repository and merges them into your local branch. For example, if you are working on the master branch and you want to fetch the latest changes from the origin remote, you can use the following command:

git pull origin master

This will fetch the latest changes from the origin remote and merge them into your master branch.

Push

The push command pushes your local changes to a remote repository. For example, if you have made some changes to the master branch and you want to push them to the origin remote, you can use the following command:

git push origin master

This will push your local changes to the origin remote, and they will be available to other developers who have cloned the repository.

Cherry pick

The cherry-pick command applies a single commit from one branch to another. For example, if you have a commit called commit-1 in the master branch, and you want to apply it to the develop branch, you can use the following command:

git cherry-pick commit-1

This will apply the commit-1 commit to the develop branch.

Example:
Let’s say you have two branches, “feature-branch” and “master.” You can cherry pick a specific commit from the “feature-branch” and apply it to the “master” branch, integrating only the desired changes.

Revert

The revert command creates a new commit that reverses the changes made by a previous commit. For example, if you have a commit called commit-1 that adds a new feature to your code, and you want to remove that feature, you can use the following command:

git revert commit-1

This will create a new commit that removes the changes made by the commit-1 commit.

Example:
If you identify a commit that introduces a bug or unwanted changes, you can revert it to restore the code to the state prior to that commit. This helps maintain code integrity and makes it easier to identify and fix issues.

Stash

The stash command temporarily stores your changes so that you can work on something else. For example, if you are working on a feature and you need to take a break, you can use the stash command to save your changes. Then, when you come back, you can restore your changes with the pop command.

To use the stash command, first make sure that you are in the branch that you want to stash your changes to. Then, run the following command:

git stash

This will store your changes in the stash. You can then use the pop command to restore your changes.

Example:
Imagine you are working on a feature but need to switch to another branch to fix an urgent bug. Instead of committing incomplete changes, you can stash them. Later, when you return to the feature branch, you can easily retrieve the stashed changes and continue where you left off.

Advantages of Using GIT in Software Development

1. Collaboration and Teamwork: GIT enables seamless collaboration by providing a centralized repository for team members to contribute, track changes, and resolve conflicts efficiently.
2. Version Control: GIT’s ability to track changes, manage branches, and provide a detailed history allows developers to work confidently on different features and roll back to previous versions if needed.
3. Code Integrity: With features like revert and cherry pick, GIT allows developers to maintain clean code history, identify and fix issues, and ensure code quality throughout the development process.
4. Flexibility: GIT’s flexibility empowers developers to experiment with new ideas, create branches for different features, and merge changes when they are ready, without disrupting the main codebase.

Disadvantages of GIT

While GIT offers numerous advantages, it is essential to acknowledge some potential disadvantages:

1. Learning Curve: GIT has a learning curve, especially for beginners. The wide range of commands and concepts might require some time and effort to grasp fully.
2. Complexity in Large Projects: In large projects with many contributors, managing conflicts and resolving complex merge scenarios can become challenging. Proper coordination and communication are vital to avoid conflicts and ensure smooth integration.

Conclusion

Understanding advanced GIT features such as cherry pick, revert, stash, and others enhances a developer’s ability to effectively manage code, collaborate with team members, and maintain code integrity. Despite a potential learning curve and complexities in larger projects, the advantages of using GIT in software development significantly outweigh the challenges. By mastering these advanced features, developers can optimize their workflow and elevate their coding proficiency.

References

• Official GIT Documentation: https://git-scm.com/doc
• Atlassian GIT Tutorial: https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials
• Advanced GIT Features: https://rubicotech.com/blog/advanced-git-features/