how to revert the last 2 commits in git with code examples

Reverting Git Commits

Git is a popular version control system used for software development and other collaborative projects. In Git, a commit is a snapshot of changes to the codebase, and it is essential to know how to revert commits if something goes wrong. Reverting the last two commits in Git can be achieved using various methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will explore the most common methods of reverting the last two commits in Git.

Method 1: Using the "git reset" command

The "git reset" command is the most straightforward method of reverting the last two commits in Git. This command allows you to reset the current branch to a specific commit, effectively undoing all the changes made after that commit. To revert the last two commits, you can run the following command:

$ git reset HEAD~2

The "HEAD~2" argument refers to the commit two steps before the current HEAD, which is the latest commit on the current branch. By resetting the branch to this commit, you effectively undo the last two commits. Note that this method does not delete the commits, but it does remove them from the current branch. If you want to restore the changes made in the reverted commits, you can use the "git reflog" command to find the SHA-1 hash of the original commit and then use the "git cherry-pick" command to apply the changes to the current branch.

Method 2: Using the "git revert" command

Another method of reverting the last two commits in Git is to use the "git revert" command. Unlike the "git reset" command, this method creates a new commit that undoes the changes made in the original commits. To revert the last two commits, you can run the following command:

$ git revert HEAD~1..HEAD

This command will revert the changes made in the latest commit (HEAD) and the one before it (HEAD~1). The "git revert" command creates a new commit that undoes the changes, preserving the original commit history. This method is useful if you want to preserve the commit history while undoing changes, but it can also lead to a cluttered Git history if you end up reverting multiple commits.

Method 3: Using the "git checkout" command

The "git checkout" command is another way to revert the last two commits in Git. This method involves checking out a previous commit and creating a new branch from it. To revert the last two commits, you can run the following commands:

$ git branch temp
$ git checkout HEAD~2
$ git branch -f master temp
$ git checkout master
$ git branch -D temp

The first command creates a new branch called "temp" from the current HEAD. The second command checks out the commit two steps before the current HEAD, effectively undoing the last two commits. The third command updates the "master" branch to point to the previous commit, effectively making it the latest commit on the branch. The fourth command checks out the "master" branch, and the fifth command deletes the temporary "temp" branch.

Conclusion

Reverting the last two commits in Git is a common task that can be achieved using various methods. The "git reset" command is the most straightforward method, but it removes the commits from the current branch and requires the use of the "git reflog" command to restore the changes. The "git revert" command creates a new commit that undoes the changes while preserving the commit history. The "git checkout" command involves checking
Adjacent Git Topics

1. Stashing Changes

Sometimes, you may want to switch branches or perform a Git operation without committing your current changes. The "git stash" command allows you to temporarily save your changes and switch to another branch, without losing any work. To stash your changes, you can run the following command:

$ git stash

After running this command, your changes will be saved, and your working directory will be clean. You can then switch branches, perform Git operations, or even exit the terminal, and your changes will still be saved. To restore the stashed changes, you can use the "git stash apply" command.

2. Cherry-picking Changes

The "git cherry-pick" command allows you to apply changes from a specific commit to your current branch. This can be useful when you want to apply changes made in a branch to another branch, or when you want to revert changes in one branch and apply them to another branch. To cherry-pick changes, you can run the following command:

$ git cherry-pick <commit-hash>

Replace "" with the SHA-1 hash of the commit you want to apply. This command will create a new commit on the current branch with the changes from the specified commit.

3. Rebasing

Rebasing is a Git operation that allows you to reapply a series of commits on top of another branch. This can be useful when you want to update a branch with the latest changes from another branch, or when you want to clean up a branch's commit history. To rebase a branch, you can run the following command:

$ git rebase <upstream-branch>

Replace "" with the name of the branch you want to rebase onto. This command will reapply the commits in the current branch on top of the specified branch, updating the current branch with the latest changes.

4. Merging

Merging is a Git operation that combines the changes from one branch into another branch. This can be useful when you want to bring changes from one branch into another branch, or when you want to merge two or more branches into a single branch. To merge two branches, you can run the following command:

$ git merge <branch-name>

Replace "" with the name of the branch you want to merge into the current branch. This command will combine the changes from the specified branch into the current branch, creating a new commit with the merged changes.

In conclusion, Git is a powerful version control system with many features and operations that can help you manage your codebase. Knowing how to revert commits, stash changes, cherry-pick changes, rebase branches, and merge branches is essential to being an effective Git user.

Popular questions

1. What is the command to revert the last 2 commits in Git?

Answer: To revert the last 2 commits in Git, you can use the command git revert HEAD~2..HEAD. The HEAD~2 specifies the second-to-last commit, and the HEAD specifies the latest commit.

2. What happens when you revert a commit in Git?

Answer: When you revert a commit in Git, it creates a new commit that undoes the changes made in the original commit. The original commit remains in the Git history, but its changes are reversed in the new commit.

3. How do you revert multiple commits at once in Git?

Answer: To revert multiple commits at once in Git, you can specify the range of commits to revert using the git revert command. For example, to revert the last 2 commits, you can use the command git revert HEAD~2..HEAD.

4. Can you undo a Git revert?

Answer: Yes, you can undo a Git revert by using the git reset command to move the HEAD pointer back to the original commit. This will discard the changes made in the revert commit.

5. Can you revert a pushed commit in Git?

Answer: Yes, you can revert a pushed commit in Git by using the git revert command. Once you have reverted the commit, you need to push the revert commit to the remote repository to apply the changes. This will effectively undo the changes made in the original commit.

Tag

Reverting