Git Interview Question: Difference between 'git pull' and 'git fetch'

When it comes to Git commands, understanding the difference between 'git pull' and 'git fetch' is crucial for efficient collaboration and version control.

'git pull':

'git pull' is a Git command that updates your local branch with the latest changes from the remote repository and merges them into your current branch. It is a combination of 'git fetch' and 'git merge'.

'git fetch':

'git fetch' is a Git command that downloads the latest changes from the remote repository to your local repository, but it does not automatically merge them into your current branch. It simply brings the changes into your local copy so you can decide how to integrate them.

So, the key difference is that 'git pull' automatically merges the changes from the remote repository, while 'git fetch' only downloads the changes for you to review and merge manually if desired.

Both commands are important in keeping your local repository up to date with the remote repository and managing collaboration in Git projects.