The Killer Feature of Git: A Guide to Efficiently Switching Between Git Branches

Git is a powerful version control system that allows developers to easily manage and track changes in their codebase. While Git has several useful features, one particular feature stands out as the killer feature of Git: the ability to switch between branches quickly and efficiently.

Here's a scenario:

Let's say you're working on Branch A, and at some point, you want to check if the code in Branch B has been correctly formatted. Here's where Git's killer feature comes in handy: you can quickly switch to Branch B, run the formatter, and then switch back to Branch A with just a few commands in your terminal.

Here's an example of how to do it:

1. First, ensure that you're on Branch A by running the command git branch in your terminal. This will list all the available branches, and the current branch will be highlighted with an asterisk (*).
2. To switch to Branch B, run the command git switch BranchB in your terminal. This will switch you to Branch B.
3. Once you're on Branch B, run the formatter to check if the code has been correctly formatted.
4. Now, it's time to switch back to Branch A. Instead of using your GUI tool or trying to remember the name of Branch A, you can use Git's killer feature: simply type git switch - in your terminal. This will take you back to Branch A.
5. If you have made changes on Branch B that you want to keep, you can stash them before switching back to Branch A. To do this, run the command git stash on Branch B. This will stash your changes.
6. Once you're back on Branch A, you can pop the stash by running the command git stash pop. This will apply the changes you made on Branch B to Branch A.

 1. git branch        // ensure you're on Branch A
 2. git switch BranchB  // switch to Branch B
 3. run formatter
 4. git switch -        // quickly switch back to Branch A
 5. git stash (optional)   // stash changes on Branch B
 6. git stash pop (optional)  // apply stashed changes to Branch A

Using Git's killer feature to switch between branches quickly and efficiently can save you time and effort when working on complex projects with multiple branches. It allows you to test code changes, review code, and fix issues without having to switch back and forth between branches manually.

In conclusion, Git's killer feature of quickly switching between branches is a powerful tool that every developer should know how to use. With just a few commands in your terminal, you can easily move between branches, test code changes, and keep your codebase organized and up to date. So, the next time you're working on a project with multiple branches, remember to use Git's killer feature to streamline your workflow and maximize your productivity.