How to switch between branches in Git?

Switching Branches in Git

Git is a distributed version control system that allows developers to manage their codebase effectively. One of the core features of Git is the ability to work with multiple branches, which enables developers to work on different features or bug fixes simultaneously without affecting the main codebase.

Understanding Git Branches

In Git, a branch is a separate line of development that diverges from the main codebase, known as the master or main branch. Branches allow developers to experiment with new ideas, fix bugs, or collaborate on different features without impacting the primary codebase. Each branch has its own commit history, and changes made in one branch can be merged back into the main branch when the work is complete.

graph LR A[Master Branch] --> B[Feature Branch] B --> C[Bug Fix Branch] C --> A

Switching Between Branches

To switch between branches in Git, you can use the git checkout command. This command allows you to move from one branch to another, effectively changing the state of your local repository to the selected branch.

Here's how you can switch between branches:

List available branches:
```
git branch
```
This command will display all the branches in your local repository, with the currently checked-out branch marked with an asterisk (*).
Switch to an existing branch:
```
git checkout <branch-name>
```
Replace <branch-name> with the name of the branch you want to switch to. This will update your working directory to the selected branch.
Create and switch to a new branch:
```
git checkout -b <new-branch-name>
```
This command will create a new branch with the name <new-branch-name> and immediately switch to that branch.
Switch back to the previous branch:
```
git checkout -
```
This command will switch back to the previously checked-out branch, which is useful when you need to quickly switch between two branches.

Here's an example of how you might use these commands:

# List available branches
git branch
# Output:
#   master
#   * feature/new-ui
#   bug-fix

# Switch to an existing branch
git checkout bug-fix
# Switched to branch 'bug-fix'

# Create and switch to a new branch
git checkout -b refactor-code
# Switched to a new branch 'refactor-code'

# Switch back to the previous branch
git checkout -
# Switched to branch 'bug-fix'

By mastering the art of switching between branches, you can effectively manage your codebase, collaborate with team members, and maintain a clean and organized development workflow.