How to Fetch and Merge in Git?

In Git, keeping your local repository in sync with a remote repository is a vital aspect of collaborative development. Two key commands that facilitate this are git fetch and git merge. Together, they ensure you have the latest updates from the remote repository and can integrate those changes into your local branch.

This blog provides a step-by-step guide to using git fetch and git merge, explains the difference between them, and shares best practices for their usage.

What Is git fetch?

The git fetch command downloads changes from the remote repository without altering your working directory or current branch. It updates your local tracking branches with the latest changes from the remote.

Think of git fetch as retrieving updates without integrating them yet—it’s like checking your mailbox without reading the letters.

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What Is git merge?

The git merge command integrates changes from one branch into another. When merging updates from the remote repository, you incorporate the fetched changes into your local branch.

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When to Use Fetch and Merge

• git fetch: Use this when you want to review changes from the remote repository before integrating them into your branch.
• git merge: Use this after fetching updates, once you’re ready to integrate those changes into your branch.

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How to Fetch and Merge in Git

1. Fetch Changes from the Remote Repository

Run the git fetch command to download changes:

git fetch origin

Here’s what happens:

• Git retrieves all updates from the origin remote repository.
• Updates are stored in your local tracking branches (e.g., origin/main).
• Your current branch remains unchanged.

2. Review the Fetched Changes

After fetching, you can review the updates before merging:

git log HEAD..origin/main

This command shows commits that exist in the remote branch (origin/main) but not in your current branch.

Alternatively, use:

git diff HEAD origin/main

This shows the differences between your branch and the fetched changes.

3. Merge the Fetched Changes

Once you’re ready to integrate the fetched changes, merge them into your current branch:

git merge origin/main

This command incorporates changes from the remote main branch into your local branch.

4. Handle Merge Conflicts (If Any)

If there are conflicting changes, Git will pause the merge and notify you of the conflicts. To resolve them:

1. Open the conflicting files in your text editor.
2. Manually edit the sections marked with conflict indicators (<<<<<<<, =======, >>>>>>>).
3. Stage the resolved files: git add <file>
4. Complete the merge: git commit

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Simplifying Fetch and Merge with git pull

The git pull command is a shortcut that combines git fetch and git merge into one step:

git pull origin main

While convenient, git pull doesn’t allow you to review changes before merging. Use it only when you’re confident about directly integrating updates.

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Best Practices for Fetch and Merge

1. Fetch Regularly: Use git fetch to stay updated with the latest changes from the remote repository without disrupting your local work.
2. Review Before Merging: Always review fetched changes to understand their impact before merging them into your branch.
3. Resolve Conflicts Early: If conflicts arise during the merge, address them promptly to maintain project progress.
4. Pull with Caution: Avoid git pull if you need to review changes before merging. Instead, use git fetch and git merge separately.
5. Keep Your Branch Clean: Ensure your local branch is in a good state (committed and pushed) before merging remote updates.

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Conclusion

The git fetch and git merge commands are essential tools for managing changes in Git. By separating these commands, you gain greater control over how and when to integrate remote updates into your local branch.

Whether you’re collaborating on a team or working solo, mastering these commands and following best practices will help you maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.