15.4. Git Branches

15.4.1. Branching in Git

So far this book has talked about Git’s ability to store different versions of a codebase in time. What if you and a fellow programmer on separate features for the same codebase? What if you want to try something new in your code, but you don’t want to break your current code? This is where branches can be useful.

A branch is a contained copy of the codebase. Any code written in a branch will not interfere with the original codebase. Many programmers use branches to fix bugs or add features to a codebase. Branches enable you to share work between programmers. They provide each programmer with code in their own branch, allowing more people to work on the code at once. Branches allow for changes to an already functional codebase.

In the previous section, when checking the status, the top line was On branch main. The main branch is the default branch of the repository. Many programmers keep the live version of their code in the main branch. For that reason, complete any major work in a new feature branch, so it doesn’t impact the live software.

15.4.2. Checking on Your Branches

A quick way to check on your branches is to use the command git branch. This will display a complete list of your branches. There will also be some visual cues to let you know which branch you are on. This could be a unique color or an *; it depends on the terminal.

Before you start coding, run a git status or git branch to make sure you are in the right place. Even if you haven’t added any branches yet, you can still use this command.

Example

Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
* main
Students-Computer:~ student$ git status
On main branch

15.4.3. Creating a New Branch

You are on main and you want to start building a new feature in a new branch. Your first step would be to create a new branch for your work.

To create a branch, the command is git checkout -b branch-name. By using this command, not only is a new branch created, but also you switch to the new branch.

Students-Computer:~ student$ git checkout -b update-branch
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
main
* update-branch

15.4.4. Switching to an Existing Branch

If the branch already exists, you may want to switch to that branch. To do so, the command is git checkout branch-name.

Example

Students-Computer:~ student$ git checkout main
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
* main
update-branch

15.4.5. Renaming a Branch

Sometimes you might want to rename a branch. You can do that in a few ways. While we are currently on our main branch, let’s rename update-branch to array-update.

Example

Option 1 allows you to rename a branch from another branch.

• Step 1: If not on main, checkout your main branch: git checkout main.

• Step 2: You will then use the following command: git branch -m old-name new-name

Students-Computer:~ student$ git checkout main
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
* main
update-branch
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch -m update-branch array-update
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
array-update
* main

Ta-da! Do a quick branch check to verify your changes.

Example

Option 2 renames a branch while on that branch.

• Step 1: Checkout the branch you want to rename: git checkout old-name

• Step 2: Use the following command: git branch -m new-name

Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
main
* update-branch
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch -m pos-neg
Students-Computer:~ student$ git branch
* array-update
main

Remember, that names are up to you. Create branch names that will help you remember the branch’s purpose.

15.4.6. Check Your Understanding

Question

What is one reason for creating a branch in Git?