Branches Out of Sync Because of Git Cherry Pick – How to Resync

Are you tired of dealing with branches that are out of sync due to Git cherry pick? You’re not alone! Cherry picking can be a powerful tool for integrating specific changes from one branch to another, but it can also lead to branches getting out of sync. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this issue and provide a step-by-step guide on how to resync your branches and get back to a peaceful Git workflow.

What is Git Cherry Pick?

Before we dive into the solution, let’s take a quick refresher on what Git cherry pick is and how it works.

Git cherry pick is a command that allows you to apply a specific commit from one branch to another. It’s like taking a single cherry from a branch and planting it on another branch. This can be useful when you want to integrate a specific feature or bug fix from one branch to another without merging the entire branch.

git cherry-pick 

In the above command, `` is the hash of the commit you want to apply to your current branch.

Why Do Branches Get Out of Sync?

When you cherry pick a commit from one branch to another, Git creates a new commit on the target branch with the same changes as the original commit. This new commit has a different hash than the original commit, even though the changes are identical.

The problem arises when you have multiple branches that have diverged from a common ancestor. If you cherry pick a commit from one branch to another, the target branch will now have a different commit history than the original branch. This can cause the branches to get out of sync, making it difficult to merge them later on.

Branch A and Branch B Diverge

Branch A	Branch B
A -- B -- C	A -- D -- E

In the above scenario, Branch A and Branch B have diverged from a common ancestor commit A. If we cherry pick commit C from Branch A to Branch B, the commit history of Branch B would look like this:

Branch A	Branch B
A -- B -- C	A -- D -- E -- C'

Notice how commit C’ on Branch B has a different hash than commit C on Branch A, even though the changes are identical. This is what causes the branches to get out of sync.

Solution: Resyncing Branches with Git Cherry Pick

Now that we understand the problem, let’s dive into the solution. To resync branches that have gotten out of sync due to Git cherry pick, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the Common Ancestor

The first step is to identify the common ancestor commit between the two branches. You can do this using the `git merge-base` command:

git merge-base Branch-A Branch-B

This will give you the hash of the common ancestor commit.

Step 2: Revert Cherry Picked Commits

The next step is to revert the cherry picked commits on the target branch. You can do this using the `git revert` command:

git revert -n 

Replace `` with the hash of the cherry picked commit. The `-n` flag tells Git to revert the commit without committing the changes.

Step 3: Merge the Original Branch

Now that we’ve reverted the cherry picked commits, we can merge the original branch into the target branch using the `git merge` command:

git merge --no-commit Branch-A

This will merge the changes from Branch A into the target branch without committing the changes.

Step 4: Resolve Conflicts and Commit

If there are any conflicts, resolve them manually and then commit the changes using:

git commit -m "Resynced branches"

This will create a new merge commit that combines the changes from both branches.

Step 5: Push the Changes

Finally, push the changes to the remote repository using:

git push origin Branch-B

This will update the remote branch with the resynced changes.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the reasons why branches can get out of sync due to Git cherry pick and provided a step-by-step guide on how to resync them. By following these steps, you can ensure that your branches remain in sync and your Git workflow remains peaceful.

Remember, it’s essential to be mindful of the commit history when working with Git cherry pick. By understanding the underlying mechanics of cherry picking, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth collaboration with your team.

Best Practices

To avoid branches getting out of sync due to Git cherry pick, follow these best practices:

• Merge entire branches instead of cherry picking individual commits.
• Use Git cherry pick only when absolutely necessary.
• Communicate with your team before cherry picking commits.
• Regularly review your commit history to detect any disparities.

By following these best practices, you can minimize the risk of branches getting out of sync and ensure a smooth Git workflow.

Additional Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about Git cherry pick and branch management, check out these additional resources:

• Git Documentation: Git Cherry Pick
• Atlassian: Git Cherry Pick Tutorial
• GitHub: Git 2.24 Release Notes

I hope this article has helped you understand the intricacies of Git cherry pick and how to resync branches. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Lost in Git limbo because of cherry picking? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions about how to resync your branches after a cherry pick.