Difference between : [ get fetch vs git pull ]

Cover Image of get fetch vs git pull

1. git fetch

   - Definition: The git fetch command downloads objects and refs from another repository but does not automatically merge or modify your working directory.

   

Use case: Use git fetch when you want to see what changes exist in the remote repository but don't want to automatically merge them into your local branch.

   - Result:

It fetches the changes and updates your remote-tracking branches, allowing you to see what's changed on the remote without making any changes in your local working directory.

   bash

   git fetch origin

   

2. git pull

   - Definition:

The git pull command fetches changes from a remote repository and automatically merges them into your current local branch.

   - Use case: 

Use git pull when you want to fetch the changes from the remote repository and automatically apply them to your working directory.

   - Result:

It performs a git fetch followed by a git merge (or `git rebase`, depending on your configuration) to incorporate the changes into your local branch.

   bash

   git pull origin master

   

Key Differences:

- git fetch only updates your remote-tracking branches, and you need to explicitly merge or rebase the changes into your local branch.

- git pull fetches changes and automatically merges them into your current branch, potentially causing conflicts that need to be resolved.

- If you want more control over the merging process, or if you want to review changes before merging, you might prefer using `git fetch` followed by explicit merge or rebase steps.