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git reset HEAD~1 vs git branch -f mainline HEAD~1

Assuming, current branch is mainline. mainline and HEAD pointer are pointing to the latest commit.

git reset HEAD~1
git branch -f mainline HEAD~1

To the best of my understanding both the commands will :

bring mainline pointer to a previous commit along with HEAD pointer

Which one should we use from the above two and why?

Edit : As pointed in comments current branch cannot be the same for using the git branch -f mainline HEAD ~1 command.

Solution

  • as noted by @phd in his comment: the difference is that git reset will only work on the active branch, while git branch -f ... will refuse to change the active branch.

    Otherwise, both commands will result in bringing the target branch to HEAD~1