Git Merge vs Git Rebase

Git Merge vs Git Rebase: Understanding the Differences

Two common ways to integrate changes into a codebase in Git are merging and rebasing. In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between Git merge and rebase, and when to use each one.

Git Merge

Git merge is a way to combine two branches of code. When you merge one branch into another, Git creates a new commit that includes the changes from both branches. This is done by creating a “merge commit” that has two parent commits, one from each branch.

Here’s an example:

git checkout feature-branch
git merge main-branch

This command merges the changes from main-branch into feature-branch.

Git Rebase

Git rebase is another way to integrate changes into a codebase. When you rebase a branch, you move the changes from that branch onto another branch. This is done by applying each commit in the rebased branch onto the other branch, one at a time.

Here’s an example:

git checkout feature-branch
git rebase main-branch

This command rebases the changes from feature-branch onto main-branch.

Key Differences

The key difference between Git merge and rebase is in how they integrate changes:

• Merge creates a new commit that includes the changes from both branches, while rebase applies the changes from one branch onto another branch.
• Merge preserves the original commit history of both branches, while rebase rewrites the commit history of the rebased branch.
• Merge is better for integrating changes from multiple developers or for creating a new release branch, while rebase is better for keeping a clean, linear commit history. When to Use Merge vs. Rebase

Use Git merge when:

• You want to integrate changes from multiple developers into one branch.
• You want to create a new release branch that includes all changes from multiple branches.

Use Git rebase when:

• You want to keep a clean, linear commit history.
• You are working on a feature branch and want to integrate changes from the main branch.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using Git merge and rebase:

• Communicate with your team: Make sure everyone on your team knows which integration method you’re using and why.
• Use merge for shared branches: If you’re working on a branch that multiple developers are contributing to, use Git merge to integrate changes.
• Use rebase for personal branches: If you’re working on a branch by yourself, use Git rebase to keep a clean, linear commit history.
• Keep your branches up to date: Regularly integrate changes from the main branch into your personal or feature branches to avoid conflicts later.

Conclusion

Git merge and rebase are both powerful tools for integrating changes into a codebase. By understanding the differences between them and when to use each one, you can make informed decisions about how to collaborate on your code. By following best practices and communicating with your team, you can use Git merge and rebase to efficiently manage your codebase and improve collaboration.