Git Merge vs Rebase

Git provides two main methods to integrate changes between branches: merging and rebasing. Both approaches serve the same purpose, but they work differently and have different benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will explore the differences between git merge and rebase.

Git Merge

Git merge is a method to integrate changes from one branch into another branch. When we merge a branch, git creates a special commit called a merge commit that combines the changes from both branches. The merge commit has two parents: one from the branch we merged and one from the branch we merged into.

$ git checkout feature-branch
$ git merge main-branch

The above commands will switch us to the feature-branch and merge the changes from the main-branch into it.

Pros of Git Merge

• It preserves the entire history of both branches.
• It is a non-destructive operation as the original branches remain intact.
• It is straightforward and easy to use.

Cons of Git Merge

• It creates a lot of merge commits that clutter the git history.
• The git history becomes harder to understand and follow.

Git Rebase

Git rebase is a method to integrate changes from one branch into another branch by reapplying them on top of another branch. When we rebase a branch, git creates new commits that apply the changes from the rebased branch on top of the branch we rebase into.

$ git checkout feature-branch
$ git rebase main-branch

The above commands will switch us to the feature-branch and rebase the changes from the main-branch into it.

Pros of Git Rebase

• It produces a linear git history that is easy to understand and follow.
• It removes unnecessary merge commits and keeps the git history clean.
• It allows us to resolve conflicts more easily as we fix them one commit at a time.

Cons of Git Rebase

• It rewrites the git history of the rebased branch, which can cause problems if other people are working on the same branch.
• It is a more complex and error-prone operation than git merge.

Conclusion

In summary, git merge and rebase are two methods to integrate changes between branches in Git. Git merge creates a merge commit that combines the changes from both branches, while git rebase re-applies the changes on top of another branch. Git merge preserves the entire history of both branches, while git rebase produces a linear history that is easier to understand and follow. Both methods have their pros and cons, and the choice depends on the specific situation and project requirements.