Git Add . vs Git Add *: Understanding the Key Differences and Best Practices for Version Control

In this guide, we will explore the key differences between the git add . and git add * commands in Git. These two commands are frequently used in version control systems to stage files for a commit. We'll discuss their differences, best practices, and how to use them effectively in your version control workflow.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Git Add
2. Git Add .
3. Git Add *
4. Key Differences
5. Best Practices
6. FAQs

Introduction to Git Add

git add is a command used to stage changes in your working directory for a commit. It allows you to selectively choose the changes you want to include in the next commit, giving you precise control over your version history.

For more information on the git add command, refer to the official Git documentation.

Git Add .

git add . stages all changes in the current directory and its subdirectories. This includes any new, modified, or deleted files. The command will not stage any changes in the parent directories.

Example usage:

git add .

Git Add *

git add * stages all changes in the current directory, but not in its subdirectories. This command uses shell globbing, which means it will only stage files and directories that match the * pattern. In most cases, this will include any new, modified, or deleted files in the working directory, but not in its subdirectories.

Example usage:

git add *

Key Differences

Subdirectories: git add . stages changes in the current directory and its subdirectories, while git add * stages changes only in the current directory.

Shell Expansion: git add * relies on shell globbing, which can lead to unexpected behavior depending on the shell and the files present in the directory. On the other hand, git add . does not rely on shell expansion and consistently stages all changes in the current directory and its subdirectories.

Best Practices

Use git add . when you want to stage changes in the current directory and its subdirectories.

Use git add * when you only want to stage changes in the current directory.

Remember that git add * relies on shell expansion, which can lead to unexpected results. To avoid potential issues, it's generally better to use git add . or other alternatives like git add --all or git add -A.

1. Always review your staged changes using git status or git diff --staged before committing. This helps to ensure that you are only committing the intended changes.

FAQs

Q1: Can I stage specific files with git add?

Yes, you can stage specific files by providing the file paths as arguments to the git add command. For example:

git add file1.txt file2.txt

Q2: How do I unstage changes?

To unstage changes, use the git restore --staged command followed by the file path(s). For example:

git restore --staged file1.txt

Q3: How do I stage changes interactively?

You can use the git add -i or git add --interactive command to stage changes interactively. This allows you to review and selectively stage changes before committing.

Q4: What is the difference between git add ., git add --all, and git add -A?

These commands are similar but have subtle differences:

• git add .: Stages changes in the current directory and its subdirectories.
• git add --all or git add -A: Stages changes in the entire repository, including the current directory, its subdirectories, and parent directories.

Q5: Can I stage and commit changes in one command?

Yes, you can use the git commit -a or git commit --all command to stage and commit changes in one command. However, this will only stage and commit changes to tracked files. New files will not be included unless they have been staged using git add beforehand.