How to delete a Git branch locally and remotely
Deleting a Git branch is a simple process, but it’s important to understand the differences between deleting a local branch and deleting a remote branch. In this article, we will cover both scenarios and the commands you need to use to accomplish each task.
Deleting a Local Branch
To delete a local branch, you can use the command “git branch -d [branch_name]”. This command will delete the specified branch, but only if it has been fully merged with the branch you are currently on. If the branch you are trying to delete has not been fully merged, you will see an error message telling you that the branch is not fully merged.
In this case, you can use the command “git branch -D [branch_name]” to force delete the branch, even if it has unmerged changes. This command should be used with caution, as it will permanently delete the branch and all of its unmerged changes.
Deleting a Remote Branch
To delete a remote branch, you can use the command “git push origin –delete [branch_name]”. This command will delete the specified branch from the remote repository.
Alternatively, you can use the command “git push origin :[branch_name]” to delete the remote branch. This command may be used if you are using an older version of git which doesn’t support “–delete” option.
Note that, If you delete a remote branch, it will no longer be visible in the remote repository or any local clones of the repository.
In summary, deleting a Git branch is a simple process that can be accomplished using the appropriate command depending on whether you’re deleting a local or remote branch. Use “git branch -d [branch_name]” to delete a local branch and “git push origin –delete [branch_name]” or “git push origin :[branch_name]” to delete a remote branch. Be careful when force deleting a branch with unmerged changes, as it will permanently delete the branch and all of its unmerged changes.