To properly handle conflict resolution in Git, it's essential to have a solid understanding of its basic concepts. This will not only allow you to identify and resolve conflicts more easily but also avoid many of them from the start.

What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that allows multiple developers to collaborate on the same project. It provides tools to keep track of changes in the source code and to coordinate tasks among team members.

Repositories in Git

A repository (or repo) is the space where Git stores all files and their change history. Repositories can be local (on your own machine) or remote (on a server).

Branches

Branches allow multiple lines of development to occur simultaneously. The main or default branch is called master or main. Branches permit developing new features, fixing bugs, or experimenting with new ideas without affecting the main project.

To create a new branch:

bash

To switch branches:

bash

Merging Branches

Merging is the process of taking changes from one branch and applying them to another. When a merge occurs, Git tries to combine the changes automatically. If it can't, a conflict arises.

To merge a branch into the current branch:

bash

Commit Changes

A commit is a "snapshot" of the repository at a certain point in time. Each commit has a unique identifier and a descriptive message. Grouping related changes into specific commits makes it easier to track project history and resolve issues.

To make a commit:

bash

Cloning Repositories

Cloning a repository means creating an exact copy of a remote repository on your local machine.

bash

Pull and Push

git pull fetches changes from a remote repository and merges them into your local branch. git push sends your local commits to a remote repository.

bash

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These basic concepts are the backbone of working with Git, and a deep understanding of them will be useful as we address conflict resolution in later chapters.