Git checkout does not change anything

Question

I really like git. At least, I like the idea of git. Being able to checkout my master project as a separate branch where I can change whatever I want without risk of screw

Answer 1

Here is an example of how to use git and branches.

$ git branch
* master
  organize

$ git branch networking
$ git checkout networking

$ git branch
  master
* networking
  organize

Now Master has been updated many times since anyone has done anything on networking

$ git pull origin networking
From github.com:dlundquist/Asteroids
 * branch            networking -> FETCH_HEAD
CONFLICT (rename/delete): Rename src/ServerClientThread.java->src/ServerConnectionThread.java in 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722 and deleted in HEAD
Auto-merging src/Actor.java
Auto-merging src/Asteroids.java
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in src/Asteroids.java
Auto-merging src/BasicWeapon.java
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in src/BasicWeapon.java
CONFLICT (delete/modify): src/DedicatedServer.java deleted in HEAD and modified in 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722. Version 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722 of src/DedicatedServer.java left in tree.
Auto-merging src/MainMenu.java
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in src/MainMenu.java
CONFLICT (delete/modify): src/NetworkClientThread.java deleted in HEAD and modified in 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722. Version 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722 of src/NetworkClientThread.java left in tree.
CONFLICT (delete/modify): src/NetworkUpdate.java deleted in HEAD and modified in 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722. Version 92d5b7c4e7c4110803eabf5d5152e7f2a337d722 of src/NetworkUpdate.java left in tree.
Auto-merging src/ScenePanel.java
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in src/ScenePanel.java
Auto-merging src/Shield.java
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in src/Shield.java
Auto-merging src/Sprite.java
Auto-merging src/TripleShotWeapon.java
Auto-merging src/Weapon.java
Automatic merge failed; fix conflicts and then commit the result.
mjolnir:Asteroids Durandal$ git status
# On branch networking
# Changes to be committed:
#
#   modified:   src/Actor.java
#   modified:   src/Sprite.java
#   modified:   src/TripleShotWeapon.java
#   modified:   src/Weapon.java
#
# Unmerged paths:
#   (use "git add/rm ..." as appropriate to mark resolution)
#
#   both modified:      src/Asteroids.java
#   both modified:      src/BasicWeapon.java
#   deleted by us:      src/DedicatedServer.java
#   both modified:      src/MainMenu.java
#   deleted by us:      src/NetworkClientThread.java
#   deleted by us:      src/NetworkUpdate.java
#   both modified:      src/ScenePanel.java
#   added by them:      src/ServerConnectionThread.java
#   both modified:      src/Shield.java

Woah, git is really mad. It looks like Master is too far ahead of Networking for git to do all the work for me.

$ git reset --hard networking
HEAD is now at 20d6ee8 done tweaking game on the main branch.  Fixed a few bugs with the TripleShotWeapon.  Rebalanced the gameMechanics() in Asteroids to increase the difficulty as the levels increase.
mjolnir:Asteroids Durandal$ git status
# On branch networking
nothing to commit (working directory clean)

Ok, now I am "back in time" when networking last pushed to origin. But I really should go back and merge with Master now before I do any work. Other wise it will be even hard to merge.

Time spent merging files

$ git add (insert conflict resolved files here)
$ git commit -a -m "Merged networking with master"
$ git checkout master
$ git branch
* master
  networking
  organize

Now lets apply our changes.

$ git merge networking
Already up-to-date.

You might want to do this if you like the "Yeah!"

$ git merge origin networking
Already up-to-date. Yeeah!

Push our changes to the world

$ git push origin master