Using Git Delta to Compare Branches (with examples)

Git is a powerful version control system that allows developers to manage their codebase efficiently. One of the essential features of Git is the ability to compare branches to identify differences between them. However, the default git diff command can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with large projects.

This is where git delta comes in handy. git delta is a command provided by the git-extras extension that lists files that differ from another branch. It helps developers quickly identify the changes between branches without the need to sift through a large amount of information.

In this article, we will explore different use cases of the git delta command along with their respective code examples, motivations, explanations for arguments, and example outputs.

Comparing the Current Checked out Branch with the main Branch

Imagine you are working on a feature branch, and you want to see the differences between your branch and the main branch before merging it. The use case for this scenario is as follows:

Code:

git delta main

Motivation:

The motivation behind using this example is to identify the files that have been modified, added, or deleted on the feature branch compared to the main branch. This helps ensure that the changes made on the feature branch align with the changes made on the main branch.

Explanation:

• git delta: The command itself, which initiates the comparison between branches.
• main: The branch name to compare against the current checked out branch.

Example Output:

Modified Files:
  1. src/app.js
  2. src/style.css
Added Files:
  1. src/newComponent.js
Deleted Files:
  1. src/oldComponent.js

The example output shows a list of modified, added, and deleted files between the current checked out branch and the main branch. In this case, the file app.js and style.css have been modified, a new file newComponent.js has been added, and an old file oldComponent.js has been deleted.

Comparing Two Specific Branches

In some scenarios, you may want to compare two specific branches directly, instead of comparing the current checked out branch with another branch. This can be useful when comparing feature branches or tracking the progress between two branches. The use case for this scenario is as follows:

Code:

git delta branch_1 branch_2

Motivation:

The motivation behind using this example is to identify the differences between two specific branches. This can be useful for reviewing changes made on different branches, identifying conflicts, or understanding the progress made in parallel development efforts.

Explanation:

• git delta: The command itself, which initiates the comparison between branches.
• branch_1: The name of the first branch to compare.
• branch_2: The name of the second branch to compare.

Example Output:

Modified Files:
  1. src/file1.js
  2. src/file2.js
Deleted Files:
  1. src/oldFile.js

The example output shows a list of modified and deleted files between branch_1 and branch_2. In this case, the files file1.js and file2.js have been modified, and the file oldFile.js has been deleted.

Conclusion

git delta is a useful command for comparing branches and identifying differences between them. With its simplicity and concise output, developers can quickly review the modifications made on different branches. By understanding how to use git delta with different arguments, developers can achieve a more efficient and effective code review process.

So, next time you need to compare branches in Git, remember the power of git delta and the insights it provides into the changes made in your codebase.