Category: GitHub

What is the difference between ‘git push – set-usptream origin ‘ and ‘git push’

admin

Difference Between git push --set-upstream origin and git push

The difference between git push --set-upstream origin <branch> and git push lies in how they handle the relationship between your local branch and the remote branch.

1. git push --set-upstream origin <branch>

  • Purpose: This command pushes your local branch to the remote repository and establishes a tracking relationship between the local branch and the remote branch.
  • Upstream Tracking: It sets the upstream branch for the current local branch. After this, future git push and git pull commands can be used without specifying the remote or branch name.
  • Example: 
    git push --set-upstream origin feature-branch

    This pushes the feature-branch to the origin remote and sets it as the upstream branch for the current local branch.

  • Use case: If you’re pushing a branch to the remote for the first time or if the local branch does not yet have an upstream branch set, this command ensures that future pushes/pulls can be done with fewer commands.

2. git push

  • Purpose: This command pushes your current branch to the remote repository, but only if an upstream branch is already set.
  • No Upstream Tracking: If the current branch doesn’t have an upstream (tracking) branch set, Git will return an error and ask you to specify where to push.
  • Example: 
    git push

    If you’re on feature-branch and an upstream branch is already set (e.g., from a previous --set-upstream command), it pushes to the appropriate remote and branch.

  • Use case: Use this when the upstream branch is already set, and you just want to push your changes without specifying details.

So, in short:

  • git push --set-upstream origin <branch>: Pushes the branch and sets up a connection between your local and remote branch for future operations.
  • git push: Pushes to the remote branch, but only if the upstream branch is already set.

Should I create a new Git branch locally or on GitHub first?

admin

It’s generally better to create a new Git branch locally first and then push it to GitHub. Here’s why:

1. Create the Branch Locally First

Creating a branch locally gives you full control and flexibility before sharing it with others. The workflow typically looks like this:

  1. Create the branch locally: 
    git checkout -b new-branch-name
  2. Work on your changes.
  3. Commit your changes: 
    git add .
git commit -m "Description of changes"
  4. Push the branch to GitHub: 
    git push origin new-branch-name

Benefits of Creating Locally First:

  • Control: You have the opportunity to make changes and commits before sharing the branch on GitHub.
  • Avoiding Mistakes: It’s easier to catch and fix any mistakes locally before making the branch visible to others.
  • History: Commits will already be in place when you push, giving collaborators more context about your changes.

2. Create the Branch on GitHub First

You can also create a branch directly on GitHub and then fetch it locally:

  1. Create a new branch on GitHub via the web interface.
  2. Fetch and check out the branch locally: 
    git fetch origin
git checkout -b new-branch-name origin/new-branch-name

When to Create on GitHub First:

  • Collaboration: If you need to create a branch quickly for collaboration (e.g., for someone else to start working on it immediately), creating it on GitHub first can make sense.
  • Protection: Sometimes, teams enforce branch protection policies (e.g., on the main branch). Creating branches on GitHub might automatically apply those policies.

Summary:

  • Local First: Provides flexibility, control, and is the most common practice for individual developers or when working on a feature before sharing it.
  • GitHub First: Useful for initiating collaboration quickly or if your team has specific branch management policies.

In most cases, creating the branch locally first is the preferred approach.