Switching branches with git switch - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

Output of switching to an existing branch

What is the output when you run git switch feature-xyz if the branch feature-xyz exists and you have no uncommitted changes?

A error: pathspec 'feature-xyz' did not match any file(s) known to git

B Switched to branch 'feature-xyz'

C fatal: You have uncommitted changes. Please commit or stash them first.

D Already on 'feature-xyz'

💡 Hint

Think about what git says when you successfully switch branches.

When you switch to an existing branch with no uncommitted changes, git confirms by saying 'Switched to branch '.

💻 Command Output

intermediate

Error when switching to a non-existent branch

What error message appears when you run git switch non-existent-branch and the branch does not exist?

A error: pathspec 'non-existent-branch' did not match any file(s) known to git

B fatal: You have uncommitted changes. Please commit or stash them first.

C Switched to branch 'non-existent-branch'

D Already on 'non-existent-branch'

💡 Hint

Git tells you when the branch name is unknown.

If the branch does not exist, git reports 'error: pathspec did not match any file(s) known to git'.

🔀 Workflow

advanced

Creating and switching to a new branch in one command

Which command correctly creates a new branch named hotfix and switches to it immediately?

A git switch hotfix -b

B git switch --new hotfix

C git switch -c hotfix

D git switch create hotfix

💡 Hint

The option to create a branch with git switch is a single letter.

The correct syntax to create and switch to a new branch is 'git switch -c '.

❓ Troubleshoot

advanced

Error when switching branches with uncommitted changes

What error message will you get if you try to run git switch develop while having uncommitted changes that conflict with the develop branch?

A error: Your local changes to the following files would be overwritten by checkout:

B fatal: You have uncommitted changes. Please commit or stash them first.

C Switched to branch 'develop'

D Already on 'develop'

💡 Hint

Git warns about overwriting local changes when switching branches.

Git prevents switching branches if local changes would be overwritten and shows an error listing the conflicting files.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Behavior of git switch with detached HEAD

What happens when you run git switch --detach without specifying a branch or commit?

A Git switches to the default branch (usually main or master).

B Git throws an error because a commit or branch must be specified.

C Git creates a new branch named 'detach' and switches to it.

D Git detaches HEAD at the current commit, allowing you to explore without moving any branch.

💡 Hint

Think about what 'detached HEAD' means in Git.

Running 'git switch --detach' without arguments detaches HEAD at the current commit, letting you explore without changing branches.