Creating branches with git branch - Practice Exercises

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What is the output of creating a new branch?

You run the command git branch feature1 in a repository. What will be the output shown in the terminal?

Git

git branch feature1

A Switched to branch 'feature1'

B Created branch feature1 and switched to it.

C error: branch 'feature1' already exists.

D No output is shown; the branch is created silently.

💡 Hint

The git branch command creates a branch but does not switch to it.

The git branch feature1 command creates a new branch named feature1 silently without switching to it or showing output.

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What branches exist after creating a branch?

You have a repository with a single branch main. You run git branch dev. What branches will git branch list now?

Git

git branch dev
git branch

A * dev

B

  main
* dev

C

* main
  dev

D dev

💡 Hint

The star (*) marks the current branch.

After creating dev branch, the current branch remains main. So git branch lists * main and dev.

🔀 Workflow

advanced

Which command sequence creates and switches to a new branch?

You want to create a new branch called featureX and start working on it immediately. Which sequence of commands achieves this?

A

git branch featureX
git checkout featureX

B git branch featureX

C

git checkout featureX
git branch featureX

D git checkout -b featureX

💡 Hint

Creating a branch and switching are two separate steps unless combined.

git branch featureX creates the branch, then git checkout featureX switches to it. Option A is a shortcut but not a sequence.

❓ Troubleshoot

advanced

Why does git branch fail to create a branch?

You run git branch main but get the error: fatal: A branch named 'main' already exists. What is the cause?

A The branch name 'main' is reserved and cannot be used.

B The branch 'main' already exists; you cannot create it again.

C You need to add files before creating a branch.

D You are not inside a git repository.

💡 Hint

Branch names must be unique in the repository.

The error means the branch main already exists. Git does not allow duplicate branch names.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

What happens internally when you run git branch new-feature?

Choose the correct description of what git branch new-feature does internally in the git repository.

A It creates a new pointer named 'new-feature' that points to the current commit, without changing HEAD.

B It creates a new commit named 'new-feature' and switches HEAD to it.

C It deletes the current branch and replaces it with 'new-feature'.

D It creates a new branch and immediately switches HEAD to it.

💡 Hint

Think about what a branch really is in git.

A branch in git is a pointer to a commit. The command creates a new pointer to the current commit but does not move HEAD or switch branches.

Practice

1. What does the command git branch new-feature do?

easy

A. Creates a new branch named 'new-feature' without switching to it

B. Creates and switches to a new branch named 'new-feature'

C. Deletes the branch named 'new-feature'

D. Merges 'new-feature' branch into the current branch

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the git branch command

   The command git branch <branch-name> creates a new branch but does not switch to it.

2. Step 2: Analyze the given command

   git branch new-feature creates a branch called 'new-feature' but stays on the current branch.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates a new branch named 'new-feature' without switching to it -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   git branch creates branch only [OK]

Hint: git branch creates branch but does not switch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it switches to the new branch automatically
• Confusing branch creation with branch deletion
• Assuming it merges branches

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create a branch named feature1 using git?

easy

A. git branch -c feature1

B. git create branch feature1

C. git branch feature1

D. git new branch feature1

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the correct git branch creation syntax

   The correct syntax to create a branch is git branch <branch-name>.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   git branch feature1 matches the correct syntax exactly: git branch feature1. Others are invalid commands.

3. Final Answer:

   git branch feature1 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax = git branch <name> [OK]

Hint: Use 'git branch branch-name' to create branch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect flags like -c
• Adding extra words like 'create' or 'new'
• Confusing branch creation with checkout

3. Given the commands:
git branch test-branch
git branch
What will be the output of git branch?

medium

A. main\ntest-branch

B. main\n* test-branch

C. * test-branch

D. * main\n test-branch

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand branch creation and listing

   git branch test-branch creates a new branch but does not switch to it. The current branch remains the same.

2. Step 2: Check the output of git branch

   The output lists all branches. The current branch is marked with an asterisk (*). Since we did not switch, the current branch is still 'main'.

3. Final Answer:

   * main\n test-branch -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Current branch marked *; new branch listed but not active [OK]

Hint: New branch created but current branch stays same [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming new branch is active immediately
• Missing the asterisk for current branch
• Listing branches without indentation or markers

4. You run git branch new-feature but then try git checkout new-feature and get an error. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You misspelled the branch name when checking out

B. You need to use git switch instead of git checkout

C. The branch was not created because of a syntax error

D. You are not in a git repository

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error context

   If git checkout new-feature fails after creating the branch, the branch might not exist under that exact name.

2. Step 2: Check common causes

   Most often, the branch name is misspelled or has a typo when checking out. Other options are less likely if branch creation succeeded.

3. Final Answer:

   You misspelled the branch name when checking out -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Branch name typo causes checkout error [OK]

Hint: Check branch name spelling before checkout [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming checkout command is deprecated
• Ignoring typos in branch names
• Not verifying current directory is a git repo

5. You want to create a new branch featureX and immediately start working on it. Which sequence of commands correctly achieves this?

hard

A. git checkout -b featureX

B. All of the above

C. git branch featureX\ngit switch featureX

D. git branch featureX\ngit checkout featureX

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand branch creation and switching

   Creating a branch and switching to it can be done in multiple ways: using separate commands or combined commands.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   git branch featureX\ngit checkout featureX creates the branch then switches using checkout. git checkout -b featureX creates and switches in one step. git branch featureX\ngit switch featureX creates then switches using the newer 'git switch' command. All are valid.

3. Final Answer:

   All of the above -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Multiple valid ways to create and switch branch [OK]

Hint: Use 'git checkout -b' or 'git switch -c' to create and switch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking only one command works
• Confusing 'git switch' with 'git checkout'
• Not knowing combined commands exist