Common Git Problems

Last updated Jan 25, 2024 Edit Source

• Git

• Reverting Commits: Undoing changes in Git without losing commit history.
• Branch Management: Managing branches to organize different project states.

Note: git revert is used to undo changes made by specific commits, creating a new commit that represents the reversal.

• git revert HEAD~N: Reverts the last N commits.
• References like HEAD, somebranch, otherbranch^, and HEAD~5 are used in Git operations.

To revert the last 4 commits:

1

git revert HEAD~4

Caution: Be aware of the impacts on the remote repository when pushing changes.

• Changes made by git revert are pushed to the remote repository.
• Reverted commits are not deleted but set aside in the commit history.

• Team members pulling from the remote will receive the updated state after the revert.
• Reverted commits can be reconstituted if needed.

Tip: Multiple ways exist to achieve similar outcomes in Git. Choose the method that best suits your project’s needs.

• Squash multiple commits into one and then revert that commit.
• Less ideal if others use your code, as it may cause issues with pulling updates.

• Create a new branch from the current state.
• Revert or reset changes on the main branch.
• Force push the updated main branch to the remote repository.

Switching back to a good state:

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11

# Create a copy of the current main branch
git checkout -b old_main

# Switch back to the main branch
git checkout main

# Reset the main branch to the desired state
git reset --hard HEAD~4

# Force push the changes to the remote
git push -f

Important: Git is a powerful tool with a variety of commands and options. Understanding these concepts will help you manage your project’s version history effectively.

• Experiment with different Git commands in a safe environment.
• Consider setting a day for an in-depth Git tutorial.
• Remember, Git is flexible but requires careful management to avoid confusion.

• Pro Git Book
• Git Documentation

Encouragement: Git can be complex, but with practice, it becomes an invaluable tool for managing your code. Happy coding!