What is the Difference Between git reset and git revert?

In Git, git reset and git revert are commands used to undo changes, but they operate in very different ways. Understanding the distinction between these two commands is crucial for managing your project’s history and recovering from mistakes without disrupting your team’s workflow. This article explores the differences between git reset and git revert, and when to use each command.

Understanding git reset

git reset is a powerful command that can modify the state of your working directory, staging area (index), and commit history. It can be used to unstage changes, move the current branch to a different commit, or even delete commits from the history. The git reset command comes in three main forms:

  • git reset --soft <commit>: Moves the current branch to the specified commit, but leaves the working directory and index unchanged. This option only updates the HEAD, effectively undoing commits without altering the working directory.
  • git reset --mixed <commit> (default): Moves the current branch to the specified commit and resets the index. Changes remain in the working directory, but they are unstaged. This is useful for undoing commits while keeping the changes for further editing.
  • git reset --hard <commit>: Moves the current branch to the specified commit, resets the index, and discards changes in the working directory. This option is the most destructive, as it completely wipes out any changes after the specified commit.

Understanding git revert

git revert, on the other hand, is a safer and more collaborative-friendly way to undo changes. Instead of modifying the commit history, git revert creates a new commit that undoes the changes introduced by a previous commit. This means that the history remains intact, and you can see the record of the revert operation.

The syntax for git revert is straightforward:

git revert <commit>

This command creates a new commit that reverses the changes introduced by the specified commit. If there are conflicts during the revert, Git will pause the process and allow you to resolve them before completing the operation.

Key Differences Between git reset and git revert

Here are the main differences between git reset and git revert:

  • History Modification: git reset modifies the commit history by moving the HEAD and optionally changing the index and working directory. git revert does not alter the history; it adds a new commit that reverses the changes of an existing commit.
  • Collaboration: git reset can be disruptive when working in a shared repository, especially if --hard is used, as it rewrites history. git revert is safer for collaboration since it preserves history and does not affect other contributors.
  • Use Cases: git reset is typically used for local changes, such as undoing the last few commits or un-staging files. git revert is better suited for undoing changes in a public branch where history integrity is crucial.

When to Use git reset vs. git revert

The choice between git reset and git revert depends on your specific situation:

  • Use git reset:
    • If you need to undo local commits before pushing them to a remote repository.
    • When you want to clean up your branch before sharing it with others.
    • If you’re working on a private branch and need to completely remove commits.
  • Use git revert:
    • If you need to undo changes in a shared branch without altering the history.
    • When collaborating with others and you need to reverse a commit safely.
    • If you want to maintain a clear and transparent project history, showing that changes were intentionally undone.

Conclusion

Both git reset and git revert are powerful tools for managing your Git history, but they serve different purposes. git reset is ideal for local, private changes, while git revert is the better choice for shared and public branches where maintaining a consistent history is important. By understanding the differences between these commands, you can choose the right tool for the job and ensure a smooth Git workflow.