Git is a powerful version control tool, but it can sometimes be a source of confusion, especially for beginning developers. Here are the most common mistakes developers make with Git and how to avoid them to maintain a smooth and efficient Git workflow.

Forgetting to commit before switching branches

A frequent mistake is moving from one branch to another without first validating local changes. This can lead to loss of work or unnecessary conflicts when switching branches.

How to avoid it: Before switching branches, make sure all ongoing changes have been validated with a commit. If you forgot to commit, you can use git stash to temporarily save your changes before switching branches, then apply them later with git stash pop.

Not pulling before pushing

It is common to forget to pull the latest changes from the remote repository before pushing your own commits. This can lead to merge conflicts, making the branch update more complicated.

How to avoid it: Before pushing your changes, make sure to do a git pull to integrate the latest changes into your local branch. This allows you to resolve conflicts before pushing your changes to the remote repository.

Merging without understanding conflicts

When a conflict arises during a merge, some developers opt for a quick resolution without fully understanding the issue, which can lead to errors in the merged code.

How to avoid it: When you encounter a conflict during a merge, take the time to understand and resolve the conflict by analyzing the code. Use git status to see which files are in conflict and edit them manually to resolve the differences.

Using git commit --amend on already shared commits

Modifying Git history using git commit --amend after sharing commits with others can lead to problems for your colleagues, as it rewrites the history that everyone uses.

How to avoid it: Only rewrite your commit history for local commits not yet shared. If you have already pushed the commits, it is better not to amend them, but rather to create a new commit that fixes the error.

Not using clear commit messages

Vague or too short commit messages make the Git history difficult to understand. This makes it harder to understand the reasons behind a change, especially for team members who were not involved in the specific task.

How to avoid it: Use clear and descriptive commit messages. Follow this convention:
Title: Briefly summarize the change in 50 characters or less.
Body (optional): Add more details if necessary, including the reason for the change, context, or references to project management tickets.

Merging without checking history

Merging a branch without having consulted the commit history of the remote branch can sometimes lead to the integration of unwanted changes or incompatible changes.

How to avoid it: Before merging a branch, use git log or git diff to examine the commits that will be merged. This will allow you to identify potential issues before the merge.

Pushing sensitive or unnecessary files

It is easy to forget sensitive or unnecessary files in the repository, such as passwords or API keys. This can compromise project security or pollute history with files that should not be versioned.

How to avoid it: Use a .gitignore file to ignore files and folders you don't want to version. Make sure this file is properly configured to exclude sensitive and unnecessary files.

Confusing rebase and merge

While git merge and git rebase have similar effects, they are used differently and can have different consequences on commit history.

How to avoid it: Use git merge to merge branches and maintain a parallel history, and git rebase to reorganize history and integrate changes linearly. Make sure you fully understand the difference between these two commands before using them.

Working directly on the main branch

Working directly on the main branch (often main or master) can lead to problems when you need to manage multiple features or fix bugs in parallel.

How to avoid it: Always create a new branch for each new feature or fix. This allows for isolated work and keeps the main branch clean and stable.

Ignoring errors during push

When pushing commits, it is important to check if there are errors or warnings, such as test failures or unresolved merge conflicts.

How to avoid it: Always check your push errors and use git status and git diff to understand what was not correctly integrated. Also use tools like Git hooks or CI/CD to ensure tests are performed before pushing.

By following these best practices, you can avoid common Git mistakes and improve version control in your projects. Git is a powerful tool, and a good command of its features helps avoid conflicts and errors that can slow down development.