git is fundamentally a database in which file contents are stored in compressed form at specific points in time based on their content hashes. it is decentralized, because every copy of a repository can function as a fully capable server. when several people work on the same files, git can automatically resolve many conflicts and reliably merge changes. versioning facilitates documented, traceable changes, parallel work, an overview of modifications, and reverting to functioning states.
the following commands belong to the most important basics when working with git daily.
git init initializes a new git repository in the current directory.
git clone downloads an existing repository and creates a local copy.
git status displays the state of the working directory, index, and current commit.
git diff compares unindexed changes with the last commit.
git add adds changes to the index so they become part of the next commit.
git reset removes indexed changes from the index without altering the files.
git commit creates a new commit from the current index.
git log displays the commit history.
git checkout reverts files, retrieves them from old commits, or switches a branch.
git pull fetches new commits from the remote and integrates them into the local history.
git push transfers local commits to the remote.
git branch lists existing branches.