Understanding Git Branches:

Think of branches like parallel universes of your code. Each branch maintains its own version of the project, allowing you to:

• Work on new features without affecting the main code
• Experiment with different solutions
• Collaborate with team members without interference
• Maintain multiple versions of your software

💡 Pro tip: Always create a new branch for each feature or bug fix to keep your work organized and isolated.

Basic Branch Commands:

Common Branching Strategies:

1. Feature Branching

   • Create a branch for each new feature
   • Merge back to main when complete
   • Keeps features isolated during development

2. GitFlow

   • Main branch for production code
   • Develop branch for ongoing development
   • Feature branches for new features
   • Release branches for version preparation
   • Hotfix branches for urgent fixes

3. Trunk-Based Development

   • Short-lived feature branches
   • Frequent merges to main
   • Emphasis on continuous integration

1. The command creates a new branch from 'main'
2. Changes are committed to the new branch
3. The branch is pushed to the remote repository

💡 Pro tip: Use descriptive branch names that reflect the feature or fix being implemented.

Best practices for merging:

1. Always update your main branch first
2. Test your changes before merging
3. Use meaningful commit messages
4. Delete branches after successful merges

💡 Pro tip: Consider using pull requests for better code review and collaboration.

Common causes of conflicts:

• Multiple people editing the same file
• Changes to the same lines of code
• Divergent branch histories

Resolution steps:

1. Identify conflicted files
2. Open and edit the conflicts
3. Choose which changes to keep
4. Commit the resolution

Regular maintenance tasks:

• Delete merged branches
• Review stale branches
• Keep branch names consistent
• Document branch purposes

💡 Pro tip: Regular branch cleanup prevents repository clutter and confusion.