Git merge keeps the commit sequence intact by combining the histories of the two branches into a single branch.
Git rebase, on the other hand, rewrites history by putting changes from one branch at the beginning of another, resulting in a more organized, linear project history.
- Commit: In terms of Git, a commit is the location that stores the code and any changes made to it. For example, if a developer saves three Java files on Git, they are grouped into one commit and assigned an ID number. If the developer later change the code and adds one more Java file, these changes are saved as another commit with a different ID number. Anytime someone makes a change in Git, it generates a new commit.
- Branch: A branch represents different isolated versions of a code. For instance, a programmer wants to add new features to a website. The website’s code is stored by default on the master branch. However, the programmer wants to tinker with the website code and add the new features without altering the website’s existing code. So, they create a new branch from the master branch, which contains a copy of the master branch’s code. Now the programmer can experiment and make changes, and once the work is done, they merge the changes of the feature branch into the original master branch.
Now let’s define these two different approaches — Git Rebase vs. Merge.
What Is Git Rebase?
Git rebase is a command that lets users integrate changes from one branch to another, and the logs are modified once the action is complete. Git rebase was developed to overcome merging’s shortcomings, specifically regarding logs.
What Is Git Merge?
Git merge is a command that allows developers to merge Git branches while the logs of commits on branches remain intact.
The merge wording can be confusing because we have two methods of merging branches, and one of those ways is actually called “merge,” even though both procedures do essentially the same thing.
The Workings of Git Rebase and Merge
Git rebase takes all the changes, and compresses them into a single patch and integrates this new patch onto the target branch. Then, it moves the completed work from one branch to another, typically the master branch. In the process, rebase flattens the history, removing unwanted entries.
Git merge, on the other hand, only changes the target branch and creates a commit, preserving the history of the source branch.
Git Rebase and Git Merge Similarities
Both the rebase and merge commands exist for the same reason: they combine the work of multiple developers into a single entity, integrating changes between branches. That about sums up their similarities. On the other hand, their differences are considerably more profound.
What’s the Difference Between Merge and Rebase?
The main difference between git merge and git rebase is that git merge is a way of combining changes from one branch (source branch) into another branch (target branch) where as git rebase is a way of moving the changes from one branch onto another branch.
A head-to-head comparison chart is the best way to illustrate the differences between Git merge and Git rebase.
Merge | Rebase |
Git Merge lets you merge different Git branches. | Git Rebase allows you to integrate the changes from one branch into another. |
Git Merge logs show you the complete history of commit merging. | Git Rebase logs are linear. As the commits are rebased, the history is altered to reflect this. |
All the commits on a feature branch are combined into a single commit on the master branch. | All commits are rebased, and the same number of commits are added to the master branch. |
Merge is best used when the target branch is supposed to be shared. | Rebase is best used when the target branch is private. |
Merge preserves history. | Rebase rewrites history. |
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Git Rebase and Git Merge
Each merge process brings plusses and minuses to the table.
Git Merge Benefits
- Merge is simple, straightforward, and familiar
- Merge preserves the entire history in chronological order
- Merge maintains the branch’s context
- Merge creates a complete log that helps developers understand the big picture, showing when and how each merge occurred
- Merge makes it easy for users to find mistakes and correct them
Git Merge Drawbacks
- Merge isn’t very user-friendly
- Merge’s exhaustive nature results in a clumsy history and log
- Merge’s git log must be constantly and properly maintained, or devolve into a mess
Git Rebase Benefits
- Rebase streamlines a possibly complex history
- Rebase cleans up intermediate commits by turning them into a single commit, making life easier for DevOps teams
- Rebase avoids the merge commit noise typically found in busy repos and busy branches
- Rebase creates a streamlined, linear log
- Rebase provides a lack of clutter, which facilitates project movement
Git Rebase Drawbacks
- Users can’t track how and when commits were merged on the target branch
- Rebase won’t work with pull requests since you can’t see minor changes someone else made
- Rebase makes you resolve conflicts in the order they were created to continue the rebase. Unfortunately, this means more work for you, as you may need to fix the same conflicts repeatedly
- Rebase lowers the feature down to a small number of commits, making it challenging to see the context.
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