Learn 40+ Git interview questions, from basics to advanced, to help freshers and experienced pros excel in interviews and showcase their Git skills.
OVERVIEW
Git has emerged as one of the most widely used Version Control Systems (VCS) in software development. Originally designed by Linus Torvalds in 2005 for Linux kernel development, Git has become essential for developers and teams of all sizes.
Proficiency in Git is a necessity for developers and testers to manage modern development workflows effectively. Preparing for Git interview questions can significantly enhance your understanding of both fundamental and advanced Git concepts, ensuring you're equipped to handle real-world challenges.
These questions assess your theoretical knowledge and practical experience with Git, allowing you to showcase your ability to navigate version control systems efficiently. Familiarizing yourself with commonly asked questions will build your confidence and sharpen your problem-solving skills.
Download Git Interview Questions
Note : We have compiled all Git Interview Questions for your reference in a template format. Check it out now!
In this section, we will look over the most essential Git interview questions, which are appropriate for candidates who are just getting started or have a basic understanding of Git. These questions center on fundamental concepts and operations, such as understanding what Git is, its important commands, and significant features.
Git is a widely used tool in DevOps for managing source code. It is a free, open-source version control system designed to handle projects of any size. Git helps track changes in source code, enabling multiple developers to collaborate on non-linear development projects without conflicts.
It was created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 and is now a key tool in software development. This is one of the common questions discussed in Git interview questions when assessing a candidate’s knowledge of version control systems.
Here are some of Git's key features:
These features are often discussed in Git interview questions, as they reflect Git's efficiency in managing source code.
A Git repository is a virtual storage location for your project. It tracks and stores versions of your code, allowing you to access past versions when needed. A repository saves the entire history of changes made to project files, making it essential for version control.
Some key points about Git repositories:
Understanding how repositories work is a common topic in Git and often appears in most of the Git interview questions.
Although Git and GitHub are closely related, they serve different purposes in terms of version control and collaboration.
Below are the detailed differences between Git and GitHub.
Basis | Git | GitHub |
Type | Software | Service |
Function | Git is a distributed VCS that monitors changes in source code during software development. It allows multiple developers to work on the same project without interfering with one another's work. | GitHub is a web-based application for hosting Git repositories. It has a graphical interface and more collaboration features, such as pull requests, problem tracking, and project management. |
Installation | Git is installed locally on your system. | Web-based and accessible through a browser. |
Usage | Primarily used through the command line, though there are graphical user interfaces (GUIs) available. | Provides both a web interface and a desktop program (GitHub Desktop). |
Maintenance | Maintained by the Linux community. | Owned and maintained by Microsoft. |
As you've already learned about their differences, it's important to note that GitHub and Git also have distinct workflows. To learn more about GitHub and Git workflows, watch the video below.
A version control system (VCS) is a tool that monitors and manages changes made to files over time. It is especially useful in software development, where multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously.
Here are the key characteristics of a version control system:
The functionality and importance of a version control system, especially in collaborative environments, are frequently discussed in Git interview questions.
Note : Faster your feedback loop cycle by integrating various version control systems. Try LambdaTest Now!
The git push command uploads content from your local repository to a remote repository. It sends commits from your local branch to a corresponding branch in the remote repository, allowing others to see your changes.
Understanding how git push works is essential for anyone preparing for Git interview questions, as it is a fundamental operation in version control.
The git pull command updates your local repository with changes from a remote repository. Essentially, it combines two commands: git fetch, which retrieves changes, and git merge, which integrates those changes into your current branch. This command is frequently covered in Git interview questions, as it reflects how developers collaborate and manage updates.
Both git fetch and git pull are used to update your local repository with changes from a remote repository. However, they serve different purposes and operate in distinct ways:
Basis | git fetch | git pull |
Purpose | Downloads changes from the remote repository but does not merge them into your local working directory. | The modifications are downloaded from the remote repository and immediately merged into your current branch. |
Operation | Updates your local copy of the remote branches so you can review changes before merging them into your local branch. | Fetches changes and merges them into your current branch in one step. |
Use cases | Useful for reviewing changes before integrating them, ensuring you know what will be merged. | Ideal for quickly updating your branch with the latest changes from the remote repository. |
Integration | Changes are not integrated into your working directory until you explicitly merge them. | Changes are automatically integrated into your working directory. |
Control | Provides more control over what changes are merged and when. | Less control as it merges changes immediately, which can lead to merge conflicts. |
Advantages | Safer for reviewing changes and avoiding unexpected conflicts. | Faster and more convenient for keeping your branch up-to-date with the remote repository. |
This distinction between git fetch and git pull is often featured in Git interview questions, highlighting the importance of understanding these commands for effective version control.
Git offers several benefits that contribute to its popularity among developers for version control:
Understanding these advantages can help you answer Git interview questions effectively.
To create a new Git repository, you use the git init command. This command initializes Git structures and files in the current directory, allowing you to start tracking changes. Here’s what happens when you run git init :
Being familiar with the git init command and its implications is crucial for addressing Git interview questions about setting up repositories.
A Git conflict occurs when changes from different branches or commits cannot be merged automatically. This typically happens when two or more developers modify the same lines in a file or when one developer deletes a file that another developer has edited.
For example:
In this case, Git will mark the file as having a conflict, requiring user intervention to resolve it. Conflicting sections in the file will be highlighted with special markers like <<<<<<<, =======, and >>>>>>>, indicating the differences between the branches. Understanding how to handle conflicts is often covered in Git interview questions, as it's a crucial aspect of collaborative development.
The git config command specifies and retrieves configuration options that affect various aspects of Git's behavior and appearance. These configurations can be implemented on three levels: system, global, and local.
Common uses of Git configuration include specifying user information (such as name and email address), defining the default text editor, and creating Git aliases for frequently used tasks. Mastering git config is beneficial for answering Git interview questions related to user setup and repository management.
The git clone command creates a copy of an existing Git repository. Here are the key purposes and advantages of using git clone :
Understanding the purpose and advantages of git clone is beneficial for developers, as it equips them with the knowledge to clone a repository effectively. This topic frequently arises in Git interview questions focused on repository management and collaboration.
Git is primarily written in the C programming language, which was chosen to achieve optimal performance and efficiency. In addition to C, Git provides various shell scripts that serve as wrappers for the core programs.
Certain components of Git also utilize scripting languages like Perl, Tcl, and Python for specific functionalities.
A git commit represents a snapshot of your project at a specific point in time. When you commit, Git saves the current state of your project, including all tracked files, and assigns it a unique identifier (a commit hash). Each commit is uniquely identifiable by a SHA-1 hash, which ensures its integrity and uniqueness.
A git commit helps to:
Comprehending the concept of commits is essential for any developer, as it is a fundamental aspect of version control. This topic often appears in Git interview questions, highlighting its importance in collaborative software development.
The git status command allows you to view the current state of the working directory and staging area in Git. It shows which changes have been staged for the next commit, which changes are unstaged, and which files or folders are not being tracked by Git.
This command is essential for understanding your project's current state and making informed decisions about your next steps. A solid grasp of git status and other Git commands helps developers and testers manage their workflows more effectively.
This topic often arises in Git interview questions, underscoring its significance in successful project management.
Git is a distributed version control system that enables developers to manage code changes locally and collaborate on projects.
GitLab, on the other hand, is a web-based platform that provides Git repository management, CI/CD pipelines, and additional collaboration tools for software development teams.
Below are the detailed differences between Git and GitLab.
Basis | Git | GitLab |
Definition | A distributed version control system. | A web-based Git repository manager. |
Purpose | Manages code changes locally. | Facilitates collaboration and CI/CD. |
Features | Version control, branching, merging. | Repository hosting, CI/CD, issue tracking, and code review. |
User Interface | Command-line interface or GUI tools. | Web interface for project management. |
Collaboration | Requires external tools for collaboration. | Built-in tools for team collaboration and project management. |
To learn more about how Git and GitLab work and their in-depth differences, watch the video below for detailed insights.
Several prominent Git hosting services facilitate collaboration and version control for developers. Some of the most popular include:
Familiarity with these hosting services is often beneficial for developers and may come up in Git interview questions regarding collaboration tools and version control practices.
The Git interview questions discussed above are crucial for any fresher, as they provide a foundational understanding of key concepts and practices in version control. Mastering these fundamentals is essential for building a strong skill set and excelling in interviews.
As you progress, you will encounter intermediate-level Git interview questions that will deepen your knowledge and expertise. This advancement will prepare you to tackle more complex topics and scenarios, ultimately enhancing your skills in version control and collaboration within the software development field.
This section covers intermediate-level Git interview questions aimed at individuals with a solid understanding of Git and practical experience using it in real-world scenarios.
These questions delve into more complex operations, such as branch management, conflict resolution, and the use of advanced commands. Mastering these intermediate-level Git interview questions will help you demonstrate your proficiency with Git and your ability to handle challenging situations in collaborative development environments.
In Git, both reset and revert are commands used to undo changes, but they serve different purposes and are used in distinct scenarios.
Understanding the differences between reset and revert is crucial for handling version control effectively and is often highlighted in Git interview questions.
Subscribe to the LambdaTest YouTube Channel for more videos on various topics related to Git.
The git stashcommand allows developers to temporarily save changes that are not yet ready to be committed. This is particularly useful when you need to switch branches or work on a different task without affecting your current modifications.
By stashing your changes, you can easily roll back and apply them later as needed.
This functionality is frequently addressed in Git interview questions due to its importance in managing workflows efficiently.
A git tag is a reference to a specific point in the history of a Git repository, commonly used to mark significant milestones like releases (e.g., v1.0, v2.0).
Tags come in two types:
Understanding git tags is essential for version management and is often featured in Git interview questions.
A fast-forward merge occurs when the branch being merged has a direct linear path from the current branch. In this case, Git simply updates the branch reference to the latest commit of the branch being merged without creating a new merge commit. This approach maintains a clean, linear commit history but only works if no new commits have been made on the base branch since the feature branch was created.
A recursive merge is utilized when the branches being merged have diverged modifications. Git performs a three-way merge by identifying a common ancestor and integrating changes from both branches. This method creates a new merge commit with two parent commits, representing the heads of the branches being merged.
Key Differences:
These concepts are frequently discussed in Git interview questions to assess a candidate's understanding of merging strategies.
Git and SVN (Subversion) are both popular version control systems, but several key distinctions make Git more favorable in many scenarios.
Here are the major advantages of Git compared to SVN:
These advantages make Git an effective and flexible tool for modern software development and are commonly featured in Git interview questions.
To revert a commit in Git, you'll need the commit ID of the one you wish to undo.
Here are the steps:
Follow these guidelines for a good commit message:
Reverting a commit generates a new commit that undoes the modifications from the previous one, maintaining the commit history.
This process is important for undoing changes in a shared repository without rewriting history, and it often comes up in Git interview questions.
They might sound similar and are often used interchangeably, but they have slight differences in their functionality.
Therefore, reverting and resetting serve different purposes in Git. Reverting creates a new commit that undoes changes while preserving history, making it suitable for shared repositories.
In contrast, resetting moves the branch pointer, potentially rewriting history and discarding changes, making it more appropriate for local changes or private branches.
A fork creates a personal copy of a repository on a remote server, allowing you to make changes without impacting the original project.
A branch serves as a separate development line within the same repository, enabling you to work on features or fixes in isolation. Meanwhile, a clone creates a local copy of the repository on your machine, allowing for offline work.
Below, you can explore each Git method in detail.
Understanding these differences is crucial for developers and testers, as these methods can help them get started with a project and share their work efficiently. This topic is often explored in Git interview questions, highlighting its importance in effective collaboration and project management.
A Version Control System (VCS) is a software tool that tracks and manages code changes over time. It enables multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously by keeping a log of all changes and allowing them to revert to previous versions if necessary.
VCS ensures that all modifications are recorded, making it easier to manage and merge contributions from various team members.
There are three main types of VCS:
In Git, HEAD, the working tree, and the index serve different functions:
Basis | HEAD | working tree | index |
Definition | A pointer to the current branch reference. | The directory on your filesystem where you make changes to your files. | An intermediate area where changes are gathered before they are committed. |
Function | Indicates the snapshot of the repository at a specific point in time. | Contains the actual files and directories you are working on. | Holds a snapshot of the changes to be included in the next commit. |
Usage | Used to determine the base for new commits and navigate commit history. | Used for editing, adding, and deleting files. | Used to prepare changes for the next commit by staging them. |
Understanding these concepts is crucial for effectively answering Git interview questions.
The git reflog (short for "reference logs") is a powerful feature that tracks changes to branch tips and other references in a repository. It maintains a detailed record of all moves and changes to these references, helping users locate and recover lost commits or branches.
Key Features of git reflog :
Both git reflog and git log are useful tools for tracking the history of a Git repository, but they serve different purposes and provide different types of information.
Basis | git log | git reflog |
Purpose | Displays the commit history of a repository. | Records change to the tips of branches and other references. |
Scope | Public and shared across all clones of the repository. | Private and local to your repository. |
Usage | View the history of commits, including commit messages, authors, and timestamps. | Track all changes to the HEAD pointer, including commits, checkouts, resets, and merges. |
Replication | Part of the repository and replicated when you push, fetch, or pull. | It is not part of the repository and is not replicated when you push, fetch, or pull. |
Example use | Understanding the sequence of commits and the evolution of the project. | Recovering lost commits or branches and understanding local changes. |
Understanding these differences will help you respond effectively to Git interview questions.
The intermediate-level Git interview questions outlined above are crafted to assist both beginners and those with some experience in effectively preparing for interviews. As you progress in your Git journey, you will face more complex questions specifically designed for experienced developers.
These questions will enhance your understanding and mastery of various Git concepts, ensuring you're well-equipped to tackle the challenges of version control in the industry. By familiarizing yourself with these advanced topics, you’ll be better prepared to demonstrate your expertise and handle real-world scenarios that may arise during your work in collaborative software development.
This section features experienced-level Git interview questions tailored for professionals with extensive experience using Git on complex projects.
These experienced-level Git interview questions help you understand the Git concept deeper than the basics and concentrate on advanced concepts, allowing you to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
A git merge conflict occurs when Git cannot automatically resolve code differences between two commits. This typically happens when changes are made to the same lines in a file on different branches.
Here are the steps to effectively resolve merge conflicts:
Important Git Commands for Handling Merge Conflicts:
Understanding these commands is crucial for developers and testers, as they help in effectively resolving conflicts that may arise during version control. This knowledge is often emphasized in Git interview questions.
Below is a detailed comparison of the git diff and git log commands.
The main difference is that git diff focuses on showing differences between states, while git log presents the history of commits. It’s unusual to use the git log when tracing changes before committing a specific file, whereas git diff is ideal for that purpose.
Both concepts can come up in Git interview questions that focus on understanding the workflow and history management.
Choosing between git merge and git rebase depends on several factors, including your project's workflow, history management, and collaboration requirements:
These factors are essential for answering Git interview questions that involve understanding merge and rebase strategies.
The git cherry-pick command allows you to apply the changes made by a specific commit from one branch to another without merging the entire branch.
This command is particularly useful for integrating individual commits selectively.
Key Features:
For example, if you are working on a feature branch and have multiple commits, but only one is a bug fix you want to apply to the main branch, you can use git cherry-pick to apply just that specific commit.
This command streamlines your workflow by allowing selective changes, making it a popular topic in Git interview questions.
Git submodules allow you to include and manage external repositories within another Git repository. A submodule is effectively one repository embedded within another, which helps maintain its history and independence while including it in the main project.
When you add a submodule to a Git repository, it creates a reference to a specific commit in the submodule repository. This reference is stored in a file called .gitmodules, which contains the URL and path to each submodule.
The super project, or main repository, uses this commit hash to maintain the state of the submodule.
For instance, if you have a project that relies on a widely shared library used across multiple projects, you can introduce a Git submodule that links to that library's repository. This way, you maintain the library's history and updates separately while including it in your project.
The benefits of using Git submodules include:
These concepts and their practical applications are often highlighted in Git interview questions, showcasing a candidate’s understanding of Git's capabilities and best practices.
While Git submodules offer valuable functionality, they come with several shortcomings:
Git hooks are custom scripts that Git automatically executes in response to specified repository lifecycle events, such as committing changes, pushing to a remote repository, and merging branches. Git hooks can automate various processes, including code linting, testing, and formatting, ensuring your code meets quality requirements before sharing it with others.
Types of Git Hooks:
Examples include:
Examples include:
Git Flow is a branching model for Git that enhances collaboration and release management in software projects.
In the Git Flow workflow, there are five different branch types:
A detached HEAD occurs when your Git repository's HEAD points to a single commit rather than a branch. This means you are not on any branch, and any changes you make will not be associated with a branch. If you switch to a different branch or commit, your changes can be lost unless you establish a new branch or tag to save them.
In contrast, a regular HEAD refers to the most recent commit on the branch you are working on, such as the main or feature branch. Any additional commits you make will be added to this branch, and the branch pointer will be updated accordingly.
The git stash apply command reapplies changes from a stash to your working directory without removing the stash from the list. This allows you to use the same stash multiple times if needed.
On the other hand, git stash pop also reapplies changes from a stash to your current working directory, but it removes the stash from the list once the changes are applied. This means the stash is no longer available for future use after it has been popped.
Below is the detailed difference between the command git stash apply and git stash pop.
Basis | git stash apply | git stash pop |
Definition | Reapplies the changes from a stash to your working directory. | Reapplies the changes from a stash to your working directory and remove it. |
Persistence | Keep the stash in the list. | Removes the stash from the list. |
Reusability | Can reapply the same stash multiple times. | Can only apply the stash once. |
Safety | Safer, as the stash is not lost. | Efficient, but the stash is removed. |
Understanding these commands is essential for developers and testers, as they often come up in Git interview questions and can help in efficiently managing changes.
Managing huge files in Git can be challenging due to performance and storage constraints.
However, several tools and strategies can help you manage large files efficiently:
The git blame command is a powerful tool that displays author information for each line in a file. It allows you to see who made changes to specific lines and when those changes occurred.
This command is particularly useful for tracking a file's history and identifying contributors responsible for specific modifications.
Key Functions of git blame:
Using the git blame effectively can significantly enhance your ability to manage and comprehend your codebase, which is often a topic in Git interview questions.
These Git commands are commonly used when you want to manage your code changes effectively.
Here’s a brief overview of the differences:
Below are the detailed differences between the commands git checkout, git reset, and git revert.
Basis | Git checkout | Git reset | Git revert |
Description | Discards changes in the working directory. | Unstages a file and brings changes back to the working directory. | Creates a new commit that undoes changes from a specified commit. |
Usage | Local repository. | Local repository. | Remote repository. |
Commit history | Does not change the commit history. | Alters existing commit history. | Adds a new commit to the history. |
Effect on HEAD | Moves the HEAD pointer to a specific commit. | Discards uncommitted changes. | Rollback changes that have been committed. |
Manipulation | Can manipulate commits or files. | Can manipulate commits or files. | Do not manipulate commits or files. |
The git worktree command enables you to manage multiple working folders within the same Git repository. This functionality can be particularly useful in various development workflows.
Purpose of git worktree:
Utilizing git worktree can significantly speed up your development process, especially when dealing with complex projects with multiple branches.
For developers and testers, managing large-scale Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines is crucial to maintaining smooth development and deployment cycles. A key way to enhance this process is through CI/CD in automation testing, where code changes are automatically tested every time a new commit is made, merged, or reverted.
To enhance your CI/CD process, consider integrating a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest, which connects seamlessly with popular CI/CD tools.
LambdaTest is an AI-powered test execution platform that supports both manual and automated testing across over 3000 real devices, browsers, and OS combinations. This integration ensures comprehensive test coverage and quicker feedback within your CI/CD pipeline.
Additionally, LambdaTest offers HyperExecute, which can further streamline your testing process. By incorporating HyperExecute into your CI/CD workflow, you can run tests 70% faster, you can execute large test suites in parallel, and optimize resource usage to lower infrastructure costs.
This leads to a stable and reliable testing process across various environments, ultimately ensuring the delivery of high-quality software at an accelerated pace.
With HyperExecute integrated into your CI/CD pipeline, you can create a scalable and efficient testing strategy, improving software reliability and reducing time to market.
The git bisect command is used to identify the commit that introduced an issue in your code. It helps determine the commit where the code works correctly and the commit where it does not, effectively pinpointing the commit responsible for the problem.
When there are several commits, and you need to find the one that introduced a bug, the standard approach involves checking out each commit one by one. This can be time-consuming, especially with a large number of commits. git bisect streamlines this process by performing a binary search on the commits, significantly reducing the time required to identify the problematic commit.
Understanding the difference between shallow and deep clones is essential, especially for Git interview questions.
Here’s a clear explanation:
Shallow clones are beneficial when the complete history is unnecessary, such as in continuous integration (CI) setups or when working with large repositories.
They are essential when you need the complete history for tasks like extensive code analysis, debugging, or understanding the project's evolution.
Key Differences:
When troubleshooting connectivity issues with Git and a remote repository, it’s important to approach the problem systematically.
Here are some steps to help resolve connectivity issues:
Mastering these Git interview questions can help you develop a good understanding of both fundamental and advanced Git concepts.
This preparation will not only increase your confidence but also improve your ability to deal with real-world version control difficulties. Whether you are looking for an entry-level career or a more senior technical role, learning these areas is critical to success in today's development industry.
A strong understanding of Git will allow you to collaborate successfully, maintain code efficiently, and make valuable contributions to any development team. Best of luck with your interview preparation.
Did you find this page helpful?
Try LambdaTest Now !!
Get 100 minutes of automation test minutes FREE!!