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Git Merge Mastery: Unveiling the Differences Between Merge, Rebase, and Fast-Forward

23 min read
# Understanding Git Merging: Differences Between Merge, Rebase, and Fast-Forward

In team development, it's common to encounter scenarios where you attempt to push your code, and Git reports that your branch is behind the remote branch, requiring synchronization. Git then prompts you to choose a merging strategy: merge, rebase, or fast-forward. What are the differences between these three methods? Let's discuss this topic today.

## Common Error Scenarios

When you execute `git push`, you might encounter an error like this:

```bash
! [rejected] main -> main (non-fast-forward)
error: failed to push some refs to 'remote-repository'
hint: Updates were rejected because the tip of your current branch is behind
hint: its remote counterpart.

This indicates that your local code has diverged from the remote code, necessitating conflict resolution.

Detailed Explanation of Three Merging Strategies

1. Merge Strategy

git config pull.rebase false

This is the most traditional method, characterized by:

  • Creating a new merge commit.
  • Preserving all historical records.
  • Suitable for scenarios requiring detailed merge history.
  • The downside is that the commit history may appear cluttered.

2. Rebase Strategy

git config pull.rebase true

This is the recommended method, characterized by:

  • Seamlessly integrating your changes after the remote code.
  • Providing the cleanest commit history.
  • Appearing as a linear development.
  • Particularly suitable for team collaboration.

3. Fast-Forward Strategy

git config pull.ff only

This is the most stringent method, characterized by:

  • Allowing only fast-forward merges.
  • Requiring the local branch to include all remote commits.
  • Rejecting if conflicts are detected.
  • Suitable for projects with strict code submission requirements.

Practical Recommendations

In daily development, we recommend using the rebase strategy for the following reasons:

  1. Maintaining clarity in commit history.
  2. Facilitating code review and tracking.
  3. Reducing unnecessary merge commits.
  4. Promoting cleanliness in the team's codebase.

Specific steps:

git config pull.rebase true
git pull
git push

Conclusion

Choosing the appropriate merging strategy can make team collaboration smoother. Generally:

  • Choose merge if you value the completeness of commit history.
  • Choose rebase if you prefer a clean commit record.
  • Choose fast-forward if you need strict control over code submissions.

Remember, there is no best strategy, only the most suitable one for your team.