Git Tips You Wish You Knew Sooner!

Hey there, Git Users!

Whether you’re just starting out with Git or have been using it for a while, you may have run into some confusing situations. Let’s talk about some Git tips that could have saved us a lot of time if we knew them earlier! Here are 14 Git tricks to make your life easier.

1. Stash Your Changes (Even If You're Not Ready to Commit!)

Sometimes, you’re working on something but need to quickly switch to another task. Use git stash to save your work temporarily without committing it. It's like putting your work in a drawer and coming back to it later.

2. Don’t Panic: Undo Mistakes Easily

Made a mistake? Don’t worry! With git checkout -- <file> or git reset, you can undo changes to files or even reset your entire branch to a previous state. It's like hitting the "undo" button!

3. Commit Messages Matter

Good commit messages are your best friend. Instead of vague ones like "Fix stuff," write something clear like, "Fixed bug in user login flow." It helps you and others understand what you did!

4. Branches Aren’t Scary

Working on new features? Use branches! Create a new branch with git branch** and work in isolation without affecting the main code. You can always merge it back when you're ready.

5. Don't Forget to Pull Before Pushing

Before you push your changes to the remote repository, always run git pull to get the latest updates from others. This helps prevent conflicts!

6. Check What You’ve Changed

Curious about what’s changed since your last commit? Run git diff to see the differences between your changes and the previous version. It’s like a report card for your code!

7. Tagging Releases

Want to mark a specific version of your code? Use tags to create release points, like v1.0, which is super helpful when managing versions!

8. Clean Up with Git Clean

If you have extra files that aren’t needed, use git clean to remove them. It's like decluttering your workspace.

9. Merge Conflicts? Stay Calm!

Merge conflicts happen when two people change the same part of a file. It’s normal! Use git merge carefully, and if conflicts appear, you can manually fix them by choosing which changes to keep.

10. Use Git Aliases for Efficiency

If you often type long Git commands, create aliases (shortcuts) for them. For example, use git st instead of git status to save time!

11. You Can Clone a Repository with SSH

No need to type long URLs every time you clone a repo. Use SSH keys to clone repositories without having to input your username and password every time!

12. Don't Push to the Wrong Branch!

It's easy to accidentally push changes to the wrong branch. Double-check before pushing with git branch to see which branch you're on.

13. Rebase: Rewriting History (Carefully!)

If you want to tidy up your commit history, use git rebase. It lets you reapply your commits on top of another branch. It’s useful but should be used carefully, especially on shared branches.

14. Git Log: Your Project's History Book

Want to see the entire history of your project? Use git log to view all the commits made to the repository. It's like flipping through the pages of a journal that shows the progress of your work!

Wrap Up

Git might seem complicated at first, but with these simple tips, you’ll be a Git pro in no time! Stay organized, work smart, and remember: Git is your friend, not your enemy!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need help with Git. Happy coding!

Best regards

Anis SAFIA