Switching branches in Git is straightforward, primarily using the git checkout command. Here are the specific steps and examples:
-
View existing branches: First, use the
git branchcommand to list all branches in the repository, where the current branch is marked with an asterisk (*).For example, the command output might appear as:
shell* master develop feature-x -
Switch branches: Use the
git checkout [branch-name]command to switch to your target branch. Here,[branch-name]represents the name of the branch you want to work on.For instance, to switch to the
developbranch, run:shellgit checkout developAfter execution, Git updates the working directory to match the state of the
developbranch. -
Verify the switch: To confirm the current branch, run
git branchagain. If successful, the asterisk (*) will now precede thedevelopbranch:shellmaster * develop feature-x
Additionally, starting with Git version 2.23, you can use the git switch command for branch switching, which offers a more intuitive approach. The syntax is git switch [branch-name].
For example:
shellgit switch develop
This method enhances Git usage by making it more intuitive and professional. It clearly separates branch switching from file restoration (previously handled by git checkout), improving workflow clarity.
This covers the fundamental operations and steps for switching branches in Git. We hope this guide helps you better understand and utilize Git for version control.