The “git push” command in Git is used to upload or push your local commits to a remote repository. It allows you to share your changes with others and update the remote repository with your latest work.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of how “git push” works:
1. Remote Repository: Before using “git push,” ensure that you have a remote repository set up. A remote repository is a shared repository hosted on a server, such as GitHub, GitLab, or a private Git server. You typically configure a remote repository with a name, such as “origin,” which represents the default remote repository.
2. Committing Changes: Make sure you have committed your changes locally using the “git commit” command. Commits represent the changes you want to push to the remote repository.
3. Pushing Changes: To push your local commits to the remote repository, run the following command:
# git push [remote-name] [branch-name]
Replace [remote-name] with the name of the remote repository (e.g., “origin”), and [branch-name] with the name of the branch you want to push.
For example, to push your commits to the “master” branch of the “origin” remote repository, you would run:
# git push origin master
4. Authentication: If this is your first time pushing to the remote repository or if you are accessing a protected repository, Git may prompt you to authenticate. You’ll need to provide your username and password or, if applicable, an SSH key passphrase.
5. Pushing Branches: By default, “git push” pushes the current branch to the remote repository. However, you can specify a different branch by including it as an argument in the command. This flexibility allows you to push multiple branches to the same or different remote repositories.
6. Updating the Remote Repository: When you run “git push,” Git transfers your commits, along with any objects and references necessary to represent the changes, to the remote repository. The remote repository is then updated with your latest work.
It’s important to note that “git push” only works if you have the necessary permissions to write to the remote repository. If you don’t have the appropriate access rights, you won’t be able to push your changes.
git push Command Examples
1. Send local changes in the current branch to its default remote counterpart:
# git push
2. Send changes from a specific local branch to its remote counterpart:
# git push remote_name local_branch
3. Send changes from a specific local branch to its remote counterpart, and set the remote one as the default push/pull target of the local one:
# git push -u remote_name local_branch
4. Send changes from a specific local branch to a specific remote branch:
# git push remote_name local_branch:remote_branch
5. Send changes on all local branches to their counterparts in a given remote repository:
# git push --all remote_name
6. Delete a branch in a remote repository:
# git push remote_name --delete remote_branch
7. Remove remote branches that don’t have a local counterpart:
# git push --prune remote_name
8. Publish tags that aren’t yet in the remote repository:
# git push --tags
Summary
In summary, “git push” is used to upload your local commits to a remote repository, enabling you to share your changes and update the remote repository with your latest work. By pushing your commits, others can access and collaborate on the shared codebase.