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index 095128906a523cc8ca30639c1d42452a4bcb0050..1ae77be45055418b9c784d15db520841dd7bdd7a 100644 (file)
SYNOPSIS
--------
[verse]
SYNOPSIS
--------
[verse]
-'git-checkout' [-f] [-b <new_branch>] [-m] [<branch>]
-'git-checkout' [-m] [<branch>] <paths>...
+'git-checkout' [-q] [-f] [-b <new_branch> [-l]] [-m] [<branch>]
+'git-checkout' [<tree-ish>] <paths>...
DESCRIPTION
-----------
DESCRIPTION
-----------
When <paths> are given, this command does *not* switch
branches. It updates the named paths in the working tree from
When <paths> are given, this command does *not* switch
branches. It updates the named paths in the working tree from
-the index file (i.e. it runs `git-checkout-index -f -u`). In
+the index file (i.e. it runs `git-checkout-index -f -u`), or a
+named commit. In
this case, `-f` and `-b` options are meaningless and giving
this case, `-f` and `-b` options are meaningless and giving
-either of them results in an error. <branch> argument can be
-used to specify a specific tree-ish to update the index for the
-given paths before updating the working tree.
+either of them results in an error. <tree-ish> argument can be
+used to specify a specific tree-ish (i.e. commit, tag or tree)
+to update the index for the given paths before updating the
+working tree.
OPTIONS
-------
OPTIONS
-------
+-q::
+ Quiet, supress feedback messages.
+
-f::
Force a re-read of everything.
-b::
-f::
Force a re-read of everything.
-b::
- Create a new branch and start it at <branch>.
+ Create a new branch named <new_branch> and start it at
+ <branch>. The new branch name must pass all checks defined
+ by gitlink:git-check-ref-format[1]. Some of these checks
+ may restrict the characters allowed in a branch name.
+
+-l::
+ Create the new branch's ref log. This activates recording of
+ all changes to made the branch ref, enabling use of date
+ based sha1 expressions such as "<branchname>@{yesterday}".
-m::
If you have local modifications to one or more files that
-m::
If you have local modifications to one or more files that
+
When a merge conflict happens, the index entries for conflicting
paths are left unmerged, and you need to resolve the conflicts
+
When a merge conflict happens, the index entries for conflicting
paths are left unmerged, and you need to resolve the conflicts
-and mark the resolved paths with `git update-index`.
+and mark the resolved paths with `git add` (or `git rm` if the merge
+should result in deletion of the path).
<new_branch>::
Name for the new branch.
<branch>::
Branch to checkout; may be any object ID that resolves to a
<new_branch>::
Name for the new branch.
<branch>::
Branch to checkout; may be any object ID that resolves to a
- commit. Defaults to HEAD.
+ commit. Defaults to HEAD.
++
+When this parameter names a non-branch (but still a valid commit object),
+your HEAD becomes 'detached'.
+
+
+Detached HEAD
+-------------
+
+It is sometimes useful to be able to 'checkout' a commit that is
+not at the tip of one of your branches. The most obvious
+example is to check out the commit at a tagged official release
+point, like this:
+
+------------
+$ git checkout v2.6.18
+------------
+
+Earlier versions of git did not allow this and asked you to
+create a temporary branch using `-b` option, but starting from
+version 1.5.0, the above command 'detaches' your HEAD from the
+current branch and directly point at the commit named by the tag
+(`v2.6.18` in the above example).
+
+You can use usual git commands while in this state. You can use
+`git-reset --hard $othercommit` to further move around, for
+example. You can make changes and create a new commit on top of
+a detached HEAD. You can even create a merge by using `git
+merge $othercommit`.
+
+The state you are in while your HEAD is detached is not recorded
+by any branch (which is natural --- you are not on any branch).
+What this means is that you can discard your temporary commits
+and merges by switching back to an existing branch (e.g. `git
+checkout master`), and a later `git prune` or `git gc` would
+garbage-collect them. If you did this by mistake, you can ask
+the reflog for HEAD where you were, e.g.
+
+------------
+$ git log -g -2 HEAD
+------------
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES
At this point, `git diff` shows the changes cleanly merged as in
the previous example, as well as the changes in the conflicted
files. Edit and resolve the conflict and mark it resolved with
At this point, `git diff` shows the changes cleanly merged as in
the previous example, as well as the changes in the conflicted
files. Edit and resolve the conflict and mark it resolved with
-`git update-index` as usual:
+`git add` as usual:
+
------------
$ edit frotz
+
------------
$ edit frotz
-$ git update-index frotz
+$ git add frotz
------------
------------