Creating named stashes in Git - Quick Revision & Summary

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a stash in Git?

A stash in Git is a way to save your current changes temporarily without committing them, so you can work on something else and come back later.

beginner

How do you create a named stash in Git?

Use the command git stash push -m "your message" to save your changes with a descriptive name.

beginner

Why use a named stash instead of a default stash?

A named stash helps you remember what changes you saved, making it easier to find and apply the right stash later.

beginner

What command lists all stashes with their names and messages?

Use git stash list to see all stashes along with their names and messages.

intermediate

How do you apply a specific named stash?

Use git stash apply stash@{n} where n is the stash number from git stash list.

Which command creates a named stash in Git?

A git stash new "message"

B git stash push -m "message"

C git stash create "message"

D git stash save

The correct command to create a named stash is git stash push -m "message".

What does the command git stash list show?

A All saved stashes with their names and messages

B All branches in the repository

C All commits in the repository

D All files changed in the last commit

git stash list shows all saved stashes with their names and messages.

Why would you use a named stash?

A To remember what changes you saved

B To permanently delete changes

C To create a new branch

D To merge two branches

Named stashes help you remember what changes you saved for easier retrieval.

How do you apply a stash after listing it?

A git stash merge stash@{n}

B git stash pop stash@{n}

C git stash checkout stash@{n}

D git stash apply stash@{n}

Use git stash apply stash@{n} to apply a specific stash.

What happens to your working directory when you create a stash?

A Changes are committed

B Changes are deleted

C Changes are saved and working directory is clean

D Changes are pushed to remote

Creating a stash saves your changes and cleans your working directory.

Explain how to create a named stash and why it is useful.

Think about saving your work with a label to find it easily.

Describe the steps to list and apply a specific named stash.

First see all saved stashes, then pick one to apply.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of creating a named stash in Git?

easy

A. It automatically commits your changes to the main branch.

B. It helps you remember what changes you saved by adding a message.

C. It deletes all your untracked files before saving changes.

D. It merges your changes directly into the remote repository.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a stash does

   A stash saves your current work temporarily without committing it.

2. Step 2: Recognize the purpose of naming a stash

   Giving a stash a name or message helps you remember what changes it contains.

3. Final Answer:

   It helps you remember what changes you saved by adding a message. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Named stash = clear message [OK]

Hint: Named stashes add messages to remember saved changes easily [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking stash commits changes permanently
• Confusing stash with branch creation
• Assuming stash deletes files permanently

2. Which of the following is the modern correct command to create a named stash with the message "fix bug"?

easy

A. git stash save "fix bug"

B. git stash add -m "fix bug"

C. git stash create "fix bug"

D. git stash push -m "fix bug"

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the modern syntax for named stashes

   The correct command uses git stash push -m "message" to create a named stash.

2. Step 2: Check each option for correctness

   git stash push -m "fix bug" matches the correct syntax exactly; others use outdated or invalid commands.

3. Final Answer:

   git stash push -m "fix bug" -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Named stash command = git stash push -m [OK]

Hint: Use 'git stash push -m "message"' for named stashes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'git stash save' which is deprecated
• Using 'git stash create' which does not name stashes
• Using 'git stash add' which is invalid

3. What will be the output of the command git stash list after running git stash push -m "update readme"?

medium

A. stash@{0}: WIP on main: update readme

B. Error: stash message not saved.

C. No stash entries found.

D. stash@{0}: On main: update readme

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what 'git stash push -m' does

   This command creates a stash with the message "update readme".

2. Step 2: Check the format of 'git stash list' output

   Named stashes show as stash@{0}: WIP on main: update readme.

3. Final Answer:

   stash@{0}: WIP on main: update readme -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Named stash list shows WIP on branch: message [OK]

Hint: Named stash appears in list as 'WIP on branch: message' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking named stashes lack 'WIP on' prefix
• Thinking stash list is empty after push
• Assuming error when message is given

4. You tried to create a named stash with git stash push -m fix typo but got an error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The message must be enclosed in quotes.

B. The command 'git stash push' does not support messages.

C. You need to add '--message' instead of '-m'.

D. You must commit changes before stashing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the syntax error in the command

   The message contains spaces and must be enclosed in quotes to be treated as one argument.

2. Step 2: Understand correct usage of message option

   Using -m "fix typo" is correct; missing quotes causes error.

3. Final Answer:

   The message must be enclosed in quotes. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Message with spaces needs quotes [OK]

Hint: Always quote stash messages with spaces [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting quotes around multi-word messages
• Using wrong option like '--message'
• Thinking stash requires committed changes

5. You have multiple stashes saved with names. How can you apply the stash named "feature update" without removing it from the stash list?

hard

A. git stash apply -m "feature update"

B. git stash pop -m "feature update"

C. git stash apply stash^{/feature update}

D. git stash apply feature update

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to reference named stashes

   Named stashes can be referenced using stash^{/message} syntax to match the message.

2. Step 2: Choose the correct command to apply without removing

   git stash apply applies without removing; pop removes. git stash apply stash^{/feature update} uses correct syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   git stash apply stash^{/feature update} -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Apply named stash with 'stash^{/message}' [OK]

Hint: Use 'stash^{/message}' to apply named stash without popping [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'pop' which removes stash
• Trying to use '-m' with apply
• Passing message directly without stash^{/}