Understanding Git's Add and Commit Commands

In Git, add and commit are two fundamental commands that serve distinct purposes in the version control process. Each command plays a critical role, and understanding their differences is essential for mastering Git.

What is git add?

The git add command is used to stage changes in your working directory for the next commit. It tells Git which changes you want to include in your next snapshot. This step is crucial before creating a new commit, as it organizes your changes into a coherent set.

Purpose and Usage

git add serves the following purposes:

Stage changes for the next commit. Specify which files to include in the next snapshot.

Usage examples:

To add a specific file: To add all changes in the current directory:

git add filenamegit add .

Effect:

After running git add, the changes are moved from the working directory to the staging area, also known as the index. However, they are not yet part of the repository history.

What is git commit?

The git commit command is used to create a new commit snapshot in the repository's history. It takes all staged changes and saves them as a new version of the project. This is the final step where your changes are officially recorded.

Purpose and Usage

git commit serves the following purposes:

Save changes to the repository history. Create a new commit with unique identifier hash, commit message, and metadata.

Usage examples:

git commit -m "Commit message"

Effect:

Once you run git commit, the staged changes are recorded in the repository's history, and a new commit is created. This commit includes a unique identifier (hash), a commit message, and metadata like the author and timestamp.

Summary and Workflow

To summarize, the workflow typically involves:

Make changes to files. Use git add to stage those changes. Use git commit to save those changes to the repository.

More specifically, the git add command stages a file for a commit. The git commit command then saves all the staged changes to the project history.

Which One Should Be Used When?

While git add can be used when you have a specific file or files to be committed, git commit should be used when all the necessary files have been gathered. Here are some guidelines:

git add: Use this command when you have a good candidate file or files to be committed. git commit: Use this command when you have gathered all the necessary files and are ready to save them to the repository.

Note: You can have local changes that you want to commit, but you might also have local, throw-away changes (e.g., files you're working on but not ready to commit yet).

Understanding the differences between git add and git commit is essential for any Git user. Proper use of these commands can greatly enhance your productivity and the manageability of your project's history.