Using the `hub branch` command (with examples)
Introduction
The hub branch command is a useful tool for creating and managing branches in a GitHub repository. It allows you to easily create new branches and switch between branches. In this article, we will explore different use cases of the hub branch command and provide code examples to illustrate each use case.
Use Case 1: Show the name of the currently active branch
To show the name of the currently active branch, you can simply run the following command:
hub branch
Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to quickly check which branch you are currently working on without navigating to the GitHub repository.
Explanation: Running the hub branch command without any arguments will show the name of the currently active branch. The command essentially gives you the same information as the git branch command, but it is more convenient to use when working with GitHub repositories.
Example Output:
* main
In this example, the output indicates that the currently active branch is “main”.
Use Case 2: Create a new branch
To create a new branch, you can use the following command:
hub branch branch_name
Motivation: Creating a new branch is essential when you want to work on a new feature or make changes without affecting the main branch of the repository.
Explanation: By providing a branch name as an argument, the hub branch command creates a new branch with the specified name. The new branch will be created based on the current branch you are on. If you want to create a branch based on a specific branch other than the current one, you can use the git checkout command with the -b option instead.
Example Output:
Switched to a new branch 'branch_name'
In this example, the output confirms that you have switched to the newly created branch named “branch_name”.
Conclusion
The hub branch command is a versatile tool for managing branches in GitHub repositories. Whether you want to check the currently active branch or create a new branch, this command simplifies the process and provides a convenient way to work with branches. By using the code examples provided in this article, you can easily integrate the hub branch command into your Git workflow.
