Default branch name configuration in Git - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

Check the current default branch name setting

What is the output of this command if the default branch name is set to 'main'?

Git

git config --global init.defaultBranch

A main

B master

C default

D origin

💡 Hint

The command shows the configured default branch name for new repositories.

The command 'git config --global init.defaultBranch' outputs the name set as the default branch for new git repositories. If set to 'main', it outputs 'main'.

❓ Configuration

intermediate

Set the default branch name to 'develop'

Which command correctly sets the global default branch name to 'develop' for new git repositories?

A git config --global init.defaultBranch= 'develop'

B git config --global init.defaultBranch=develop

C git config --global init.defaultBranch 'develop'

D git config --global init.defaultBranch develop

💡 Hint

The correct syntax uses a space between the key and value without equals sign.

The correct syntax to set a git config value is 'git config --global key value'. Using equals sign or quotes incorrectly causes errors or wrong settings.

❓ Troubleshoot

advanced

Why does 'git init' still create 'master' branch after setting defaultBranch?

You set the default branch name globally to 'main' using 'git config --global init.defaultBranch main'. But when you run 'git init' in a new folder, the branch is still named 'master'. What is the most likely reason?

A The git version is older and does not support init.defaultBranch setting

B You need to restart the terminal for the setting to apply

C The repository already exists with master branch

D You must set init.defaultBranch locally, not globally

💡 Hint

Check your git version supports this feature introduced recently.

The init.defaultBranch setting was introduced in git 2.28. Older versions ignore this setting and default to 'master'.

🔀 Workflow

advanced

Change default branch name in an existing repository

You want to rename the default branch from 'master' to 'main' in an existing git repository. Which sequence of commands correctly achieves this?

A

git branch -m main master
git push origin master
git push origin --delete main
git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD refs/remotes/origin/master

B

git branch -m master main
git push origin main
git push origin --delete master
git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD refs/remotes/origin/main

C

git branch -m master main
git push origin main
git push origin --delete main
git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD refs/remotes/origin/main

D

git branch -m main master
git push origin main
git push origin --delete master
git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD refs/remotes/origin/main

💡 Hint

Rename branch locally, push new branch, delete old branch remotely, update HEAD reference.

The correct workflow renames 'master' to 'main' locally, pushes 'main' branch, deletes 'master' branch remotely, and updates the remote HEAD to point to 'main'.

✅ Best Practice

expert

Best practice for setting default branch name in a team environment

In a team using git, what is the best practice to ensure all members use 'main' as the default branch name for new repositories?

A Ask each member to run 'git config --global init.defaultBranch main' on their machines

B Create a script that runs 'git init -b main' and share it with the team

C Set the default branch name in the central repository hosting service settings (e.g., GitHub) and document it

D Ignore default branch naming and rename branches manually after creation

💡 Hint

Centralized control and documentation help maintain consistency.

Setting the default branch in the hosting service ensures all new repositories start with 'main'. It is more reliable than relying on individual local settings.