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Git Introduction

Links: 106 Git Index

Introduction

  • Git makes the distinction between three distinct areas/concepts:

  • The repository (local repo in the diagram) itself, which is stored within the .git folder

    • Everything that we commit to our repository will be stored within the .git folder
  • The working tree (also called working directory), which corresponds to the current state of files on your filesystem
  • The staging area (also called the index or cache), which is the area that you can use to prepare commits / temporarily save your work

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  • The working tree is the first one that you see when you look at a folder containing a git repository.

    • The working tree is what sits on your filesystem.
    • It may contain exactly the same content as a branch in your repository, but it can also be completely different, depending on the changes that you make to it.
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  • Git is aware of everything that happens inside of the working tree, but it only tracks the files that it is told to track.

  • When you work with git you will have many instances where, after adding new lines of code to your .gitignore file, the ignored files still show up in your git commit staging area.
    • When you experience such instances, the best way to resolve the issue is to clear and clean your Git cache.
    • git rm --cached file: removes the copy of the file from the index / staging-area, without touching the working tree copy.
    • To clear your entire cache and staging area, use the git rm command with the recursive -r option: git rm --cached -r

Last updated: 2022-06-11