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Reverting multiple Git commits can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. In this guide, we will explore two methods for reverting multiple Git commits: using the "git revert" command and using the "git reset" command.
Method 1: Using the "git revert" command
1. Identify the commits you want to revert: Before you start reverting commits, you need to identify the specific commits you want to revert. You can use the "git log" command to view the commit history and find the commit hashes.
2. Create a new branch: It is recommended to create a new branch for reverting commits to keep your main branch clean and avoid any conflicts. You can create a new branch using the following command:
git checkout -b revert-commits
3. Revert the commits: Once you have the commit hashes, you can start reverting them one by one using the "git revert" command. The "git revert" command creates a new commit that undoes the changes made in the specified commit. You can revert a commit using the following command:
git revert <commit-hash>
Replace <commit-hash> with the actual commit hash you want to revert. Repeat this command for each commit you want to revert.
4. Push the changes: After reverting the commits, you can push the changes to the remote repository using the following command:
git push origin revert-commits
Replace "revert-commits" with the name of your branch.
5. Create a pull request: If you are working in a collaborative environment, you can create a pull request to merge the changes from the revert-commits branch into the main branch. This step is optional if you are working on your own.
Related Article: How to Move Recent Commits to a New Branch with Git
Method 2: Using the "git reset" command
1. Identify the commits you want to revert: Similar to the previous method, you need to identify the commits you want to revert using the "git log" command.
2. Create a new branch: It is recommended to create a new branch before using the "git reset" command to avoid any potential loss of work. You can create a new branch using the following command:
git checkout -b revert-commits
3. Revert the commits: Instead of using the "git revert" command, you can use the "git reset" command to remove the specified commits from the commit history. The "git reset" command can be used in different modes, but for reverting commits, we will use the "mixed" mode. This mode keeps the changes from the reverted commits as uncommitted changes in your working directory. You can revert a commit using the following command:
git reset --mixed <commit-hash>
Replace <commit-hash> with the actual commit hash you want to revert. Repeat this command for each commit you want to revert.
4. Commit the changes: After reverting the commits, you need to commit the changes using the following command:
git commit -m "Revert commits"
5. Push the changes: Similar to the previous method, you can push the changes to the remote repository using the following command:
git push origin revert-commits
Replace "revert-commits" with the name of your branch.
6. Create a pull request: If you are working in a collaborative environment, you can create a pull request to merge the changes from the revert-commits branch into the main branch. This step is optional if you are working on your own.
Best Practices
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- Before reverting multiple commits, make sure to create a backup or a branch to avoid any potential loss of work.
- It is recommended to communicate with your team members or collaborators before reverting commits in a shared repository.
- When using the "git revert" command, keep in mind that it creates new commits to undo the changes. This approach is safer if you want to preserve the commit history.
- When using the "git reset" command, be cautious as it modifies the commit history and can lead to potential loss of work if not used correctly.
Now you have learned two methods for reverting multiple Git commits. Choose the method that best suits your needs and workflow. Happy coding!