Every software engineer uses version control, but how well do they actually understand it?

I work with Git daily and I’ve noticed that some engineers still feel a bit uncertain about its mechanics. GUIs are a convenient way to manage Git, and many developers rely on them, often copy-pasting commands from Stack Overflow to get by. But when it comes to understanding why a rebase works the way it does or how to resolve tricky situations, there can be, let us say,? room for growth.

Version control is such a powerful tool, and when we take the time to truly learn it, we can unlock its full potential. Here are a few areas where some extra? knowledge can make a big difference:

• Undoing mistakes becomes more predictable and controlled.
• rebase starts to feel like a useful tool rather than a mystery.
• cherry-pick turns into a powerful way to manage commits across branches.
• And reflog? A lifesaver when you need to recover lost work.

While GUIs are great for quick tasks, they can limit our understanding when things go awry. Without familiarity with the command line, it can be hard to understand why something happened or how to fix it. That’s where a little investment in learning the Git CLI pays off—empowering us to troubleshoot and resolve issues with confidence.

Plus, if you ever switch teams or projects, you’ll find that Git on the command line works the same everywhere. It’s a consistent, universal skill that makes you adaptable no matter what tools your team uses.

In an industry built on curiosity and problem-solving, embracing Git as more than just a tool. Taking the time to understand how it works can make us more efficient, more confident, and even more capable engineers.