Basic Git branching

Question

I am fairly new with Git and using Git on my windows machine through the command prompt. Currently I only have got one master branch and I want to create a new branch (current). I'm a bit confused with some of the commands.

Can someone give me some instructions to follow? I don't find git references very useful. I am not new to source control, just new to Git. Thanks.

Answer 1

Please read the Pro Git book.

To make a branch in the same place as you are in history:

git branch branch_name

to switch to that branch use

git checkout branch_name

you can do both of those at the same time with:

git checkout -b branch_name

to keep alternating between the last 2 branches use

git checkout -

(this is the similar to the behaviour of cd -)

Once you get better with the syntax of git, use a good branching strategy and stick with it. I use Branch per Feature.

Answer 2

This book will give you good introduction. It explains the commands in very detail and some with graphs to let you know the work process of git. http://git-scm.com/book You can give create a branch with command like this:

git checkout -b branch_name

Answer 3

I recommend reading the git pro book - it's not a long read, and its free. It will teach you all the important concepts and would be much better than just giving you the branching syntax.

http://www.git-scm.com/book

However, to branch try:

git checkout -b <name>

Which will create a new branch and switch to it.

Answer 4

This tutorial is the best interactive tutorial available online if you would like to clear your concepts of git branching.

http://pcottle.github.io/learnGitBranching/index.html?demo

Answer 5

to create a branch

$ git checkout -b your_branch

to add to staging area and commit changes - all(shortcut)

$ git commit -a -m "your message"

to push to hithub(only if you already have a repo)

$ git push origin your_branch