How do you create a new branch in Git

Creating a new branch in Git allows you to work on new features, bug fixes, or experiments without affecting the main codebase. Branches are a core feature of Git, enabling developers to manage multiple lines of development simultaneously. Below are the steps to create a new branch, along with sample commands and explanations.

Creating a New Branch

To create a new branch, use the git branch command followed by the name of the new branch.

    
# Create a new branch
git branch new-feature

# Verify the new branch
git branch

# Output example:
#   main
# * new-feature

This command creates a new branch named new-feature but does not switch to it. The asterisk (*) indicates the current branch.

Switching to the New Branch

To switch to the new branch, use the git checkout command.

    
# Switch to the new branch
git checkout new-feature

# Output example:
# Switched to branch 'new-feature'

Alternatively, you can create and switch to a new branch in one step using the git checkout -b command.

    
# Create and switch to a new branch in one step
git checkout -b new-feature

# Output example:
# Switched to a new branch 'new-feature'

Working on the New Branch

Once you are on the new branch, you can make changes, stage them, and commit them as usual. These changes will only affect the current branch, leaving other branches untouched.

    
# Make changes to a file
echo "New feature" > feature.txt

# Stage the changes
git add feature.txt

# Commit the changes
git commit -m "Added new feature"

Pushing the New Branch to a Remote Repository

If you want to share the new branch with others, you can push it to a remote repository.

    
# Push the new branch to the remote repository
git push origin new-feature

# Output example:
# Enumerating objects: 3, done.
# Counting objects: 100% (3/3), done.
# Writing objects: 100% (3/3), 230 bytes | 230.00 KiB/s, done.
# Total 3 (delta 0), reused 0 (delta 0), pack-reused 0
# To https://github.com/username/repository.git
#  * [new branch]      new-feature -> new-feature

Conclusion

Creating a new branch in Git is a straightforward process that allows you to work on new features or fixes independently. By using the git branch and git checkout commands, you can create and switch to new branches, ensuring that your work does not interfere with the main codebase. Understanding how to create and manage branches is essential for effective version control and collaboration in Git.