Git is a powerful version control system that allows you to manage changes to your codebase over time. However, sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where you need to reset your local commits and start fresh. This can be due to a variety of reasons such as bad cherry-picking, incorrect commits, or simply wanting to revert back to a previous state.
In this tutorial, we will explore the different ways to reset local commits in Git. We will cover the various options available, including using git reset, git revert, and deleting local branches.
Understanding Git Reset
git reset is a command that allows you to reset your current branch head to a specific commit. It can be used to undo changes, delete commits, or simply move back to a previous state. There are three main options available with git reset: --soft, --mixed, and --hard.
--softwill reset the branch head to the specified commit, but it will leave the staging area and working directory unchanged. This means that any changes you made since the last commit will still be present in your working directory.--mixed(or no option) will reset the branch head to the specified commit and also reset the staging area. However, it will leave the working directory unchanged.--hardwill reset the branch head to the specified commit, reset the staging area, and also reset the working directory. This means that any changes you made since the last commit will be lost.
Resetting Local Commits
To reset local commits in Git, you can use the following command:
git reset --hard origin/<branch_name>
This will reset your current branch head to the specified commit on the remote repository. The --hard option ensures that any changes you made since the last commit are lost.
Alternatively, you can also use the following command to delete the most recent commit:
git reset --soft HEAD~1
Or, if you want to delete the most recent commit and remove changes:
git reset --hard HEAD~1
Deleting Local Branches
If you want to completely start over, you can delete your local branch and recreate it from the remote repository. To do this, use the following commands:
git branch -D <branch_name>
git checkout origin/<branch_name> -b <branch_name>
This will delete your local branch and then create a new one based on the remote repository.
Using Git Revert
git revert is another command that can be used to undo changes. However, it works differently than git reset. Instead of deleting commits, git revert creates a new commit that reverses the changes made in the previous commit. This means that your commit history will still show the original commit, but the changes will be reverted.
To use git revert, simply run the following command:
git revert <commit_hash>
This will create a new commit that reverts the changes made in the specified commit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, resetting local commits in Git can be achieved using various methods. You can use git reset to undo changes, delete commits, or simply move back to a previous state. Alternatively, you can use git revert to create a new commit that reverses the changes made in the previous commit. By understanding the different options available, you can choose the best approach for your specific situation.