Branching
A branch is a separate work space where you can make changes and experiment without affecting the main project. Branches serve as an abstraction for the edit/stage/commit process, allowing you to work on different parts of a project without touching the main branch.
Use Cases:
Examples:

Create a New Branch:

git branch [new branch]

List all branches:

Provides a list of all the current branches in your project.
git branch
[branch name]
* main
The * next to main specifies the branch we are currently on.

Switch Between Branches:

  • Switch to another branch:
    git switch [branch name]
  • You can also use:
    git checkout [branch name]
    Git switch and git checkout can be used to switch branches. Git switch is a safer command for branch operations only. Git checkout is a command with multiple functions, which can lead to confusion and potential loss of data if not used correctly.
  • You can create and switch to a new branch at the same time:
    git switch -c [branch name]

Delete a branch:

This deletes a branch that is no longer needed. This is typically used after a branch has been merged when the work on the branch is done.
git branch -d {branch name}