Git Revert: Undo Changes Without Losing History
git revert is a safe way to undo changes by creating a new commit that reverses a previous commit. Unlike git reset, it does not modify the commit history, making it ideal for collaborative projects.
1. Basic Syntax
This creates a new commit that undoes the changes introduced by <commit-hash>.
2. Example Usage
š¹ Revert a Specific Commit
Let's say you made a mistake in commit abc1234 and want to undo it:
š¹ This opens a text editor for the commit message.
š¹ Save and close the editor to complete the revert.
š¹ A new commit is created that negates the changes from abc1234.
š¹ Revert Multiple Commits
To revert the last 3 commits, use:
š¹ This will revert commits from 3 commits ago up to the latest one.
š¹ Revert Without Committing
To undo a commit but not create a new one immediately:
š¹ The changes will remain staged, allowing you to modify them before committing.
3. When to Use git revert?
✅ Undo a commit safely without losing history
✅ Fix mistakes without affecting others' work
✅ Reverse changes in a shared repository
š“ Use git reset instead if you need to permanently remove commits from history.
4. Alternative: Undo the Last Commit
If you want to revert only the most recent commit:
This undoes the last commit without affecting previous commits.
š¹ Conclusion
git revert is the best way to undo changes in Git safely, especially in a shared project. Unlike git reset, it does not erase history but creates a new commit to reverse the changes.
Need help choosing between git revert and git reset? Let me know! š
