git merge rebase

Git merge and rebase are both ways to integrate changes from one branch into another branch in Git version control system.

Git merge is a process where Git combines the changes of two or more branches into a new commit on the current branch. This creates a merge commit that has two or more parent commits, representing the history of the merged branches. Merge is a simple and straightforward operation that preserves the entire history of both branches.

Git rebase, on the other hand, is a process where Git moves the changes of one branch to the tip of another branch, effectively re-writing the history of the branch being rebased. This creates a linear history, as if the changes from the rebased branch were always part of the receiving branch. Rebase is a more advanced operation that requires more care and attention, as it can rewrite history and potentially cause conflicts.

The decision to use merge or rebase depends on the specific situation and the desired outcome. Merge is typically used for combining long-lived feature branches or merging changes from upstream repositories. Rebase is typically used for keeping a clean and linear history, or when working on short-lived branches that are not shared with others.

In summary, Git merge and rebase are two ways to integrate changes between branches in Git. Merge creates a merge commit that preserves the entire history of both branches, while rebase rewrites the history of the rebased branch to be part of the receiving branch. The choice between merge and rebase depends on the specific situation and desired outcome.