git push to upload commits - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the git push command do?

It uploads your local commits to a remote repository, making your changes available to others.

beginner

Which command uploads your local branch changes to the remote repository?

git push origin branch-name uploads the specified branch to the remote named origin.

intermediate

What happens if you try to git push but your local branch is behind the remote branch?

Git will reject the push and ask you to pull first to avoid overwriting others' changes.

intermediate

How do you push all your local branches to the remote repository?

Use git push --all to upload all local branches to the remote.

beginner

What is the default remote name used by git push if none is specified?

The default remote name is origin, which usually points to the main remote repository.

What does git push do?

A Downloads changes from a remote repository

B Uploads local commits to a remote repository

C Creates a new branch locally

D Deletes a remote branch

git push sends your local commits to the remote repository so others can see your changes.

Which command uploads the current branch to the remote named origin?

A git pull origin

B git fetch origin

C git push origin

D git clone origin

git push origin uploads your current branch commits to the remote repository named origin.

If your local branch is behind the remote, what should you do before pushing?

A Create a new branch

B Force push immediately

C Delete the remote branch

D Pull the latest changes first

You should pull the latest changes to avoid overwriting others' work before pushing.

How do you push all local branches to the remote?

A git push --all

B git push --branches

C git push origin main

D git push --force

git push --all uploads all your local branches to the remote repository.

What is the default remote name used by git push?

A origin

B remote

C main

D upstream

The default remote name is origin, which usually points to the main remote repository.

Explain in simple terms what happens when you run git push.

Think about sharing your work with friends.

Describe what you should do if git push is rejected because your local branch is behind the remote.

Imagine updating your copy before sharing your changes.

Practice

1. What does the git push command do in Git?

easy

A. Uploads your committed changes to a remote repository

B. Downloads changes from a remote repository

C. Creates a new branch locally

D. Deletes files from your local repository

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of git push

   The git push command sends your committed changes from your local repository to a remote repository, like GitHub.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other commands

   Commands like git pull download changes, and git branch manages branches, so they do not upload commits.

3. Final Answer:

   Uploads your committed changes to a remote repository -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   git push uploads commits [OK]

Hint: Push sends commits to remote repo, pull downloads from it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing push with pull
• Trying to push uncommitted changes
• Using push to create branches

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to push your current branch to the remote named origin?

easy

A. git push origin current_branch

B. git push origin

C. git push origin HEAD

D. git push current_branch origin

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand default push behavior

   Running git push origin HEAD pushes the current branch to the remote named origin explicitly by referencing HEAD.

2. Step 2: Analyze other options

   git push origin current_branch requires you to replace current_branch with the actual branch name; git push origin pushes the current branch but may depend on configuration; git push current_branch origin is incorrect order.

3. Final Answer:

   git push origin HEAD -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Explicitly push current branch with HEAD [OK]

Hint: Use git push origin HEAD to push current branch explicitly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping remote and branch names
• Using HEAD without understanding
• Omitting remote name

3. Given the following commands run in order:

git add file.txt
git commit -m "Update file"
git push origin main

What will happen after the last command?

medium

A. An error occurs because the branch name is missing

B. The changes in file.txt are uploaded to the remote main branch

C. The changes are saved locally but not uploaded

D. The remote repository deletes file.txt

Solution

1. Step 1: Confirm commit preparation

   git add stages the file, and git commit saves the changes locally in a commit.

2. Step 2: Understand git push origin main

   This command uploads the committed changes to the remote repository's main branch.

3. Final Answer:

   The changes in file.txt are uploaded to the remote main branch -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Commit then push uploads changes [OK]

Hint: Commit first, then push to upload changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Pushing without committing first
• Using wrong branch name
• Expecting push to stage files

4. You run git push origin main but get the error: error: failed to push some refs to 'origin'. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Your local repository is empty

B. You have uncommitted changes locally

C. You typed the remote name incorrectly

D. The remote main branch has new commits you don't have

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error meaning

   This error usually means your local branch is behind the remote branch because the remote has new commits you haven't pulled yet.

2. Step 2: Identify the fix

   You need to run git pull origin main to update your local branch before pushing again.

3. Final Answer:

   The remote main branch has new commits you don't have -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Push fails if remote has newer commits [OK]

Hint: Pull before push if remote has new commits [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring need to pull first
• Assuming uncommitted changes cause push failure
• Mistyping remote name without checking

5. You want to push your local branch feature to the remote origin and set it to track the remote branch. Which command should you use?

hard

A. git push -u origin feature

B. git push feature origin -u

C. git push origin -u feature

D. git push origin feature

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand tracking branches

   Using -u or --set-upstream sets the local branch to track the remote branch, making future pushes easier.

2. Step 2: Identify correct command syntax

   The correct syntax is git push -u origin feature, where -u comes before the remote and branch names.

3. Final Answer:

   git push -u origin feature -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use -u before remote to set tracking [OK]

Hint: Use git push -u origin branch to set tracking [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing -u after remote or branch
• Forgetting to set upstream for new branches
• Mixing order of arguments