What is git commit used for?

GitMiddle~1 min read

git commit is used to save staged changes (the staging area) into the repository's history. A commit is a fixed point in the project's history with a description of what and why was changed.

What `git commit` does

Creates a snapshot of the project's state
Saves a commit message
Generates a unique hash
Adds an entry to the Git history

Important: git commit records only what has been added via git add.

Basic usage

bash

git commit -m "Add user authentication"

Typical workflow

bash

git status     # check changes
git add .      # stage changes
git commit -m "Initial commit"

Useful variants

Commit with the editor open

bash

git commit

Add changes and commit at once

bash

git commit -am "Fix bug"

Works only for tracked files

Amend the last commit

bash

git commit --amend

What is stored in a commit

the list of changes
author and date
the message
a reference to the previous commit

Frequent mistakes

Making meaningless commits: fix, update
Large "everything at once" commits
Forgetting git add before git commit

Short version for an interview

git commit saves staged changes into the repository's history, creating a logical fixation point with a description of the changes.

Short Answer

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