how to go back to what you have on github

Yulia Chive

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07-12-2024

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How to Revert to a Previous Version of Your GitHub Code

Losing changes or accidentally pushing faulty code to GitHub can be frustrating. Fortunately, Git, the version control system behind GitHub, provides powerful tools to easily revert to previous versions of your project. This article will guide you through several methods to recover your work, from simple reverts to more complex scenarios.

Understanding Git's History

Before we dive into the how-to, it's helpful to understand that Git tracks every change you make to your repository. This history is recorded as "commits," each representing a snapshot of your project at a particular point in time. We'll leverage this history to restore previous versions.

Method 1: Using git revert (Recommended for Public Repositories)

The git revert command creates a new commit that undoes the changes introduced by a specific commit. This is generally the safest method, especially if you've already pushed your changes to a shared repository. It preserves the complete history of your project, making collaboration smoother.

1. Identify the Commit: Find the commit hash (a long string of letters and numbers) you want to revert. You can find this in your GitHub repository's history or using git log.

2. Revert the Commit: Use the following command, replacing <commit-hash> with the actual hash:

   git revert <commit-hash>
   

3. Commit the Revert: Git will open your default text editor to write a commit message explaining the revert. Save and close the editor.

4. Push the Changes: Push your changes to GitHub:

   git push origin <branch-name>
   

This method is preferred for public repositories because it doesn't rewrite history, avoiding potential conflicts with collaborators.

Method 2: Using git reset (Use with Caution!)

The git reset command moves the branch pointer to a previous commit, effectively discarding all subsequent commits. Use this method cautiously, especially on shared repositories, as it rewrites history, potentially causing problems for collaborators.

1. Identify the Commit: As before, find the commit hash you want to go back to.

2. Reset the Branch: Use one of the following commands, choosing the appropriate option based on your needs:

   • git reset --hard <commit-hash>: This is the most drastic option. It completely discards all changes made after <commit-hash>, both staged and unstaged. Use with extreme caution!

   • git reset --soft <commit-hash>: This moves the branch pointer but keeps the changes after <commit-hash> in the staging area. You can then review and selectively discard them.

   • git reset --mixed <commit-hash> (default): This moves the branch pointer and unstages the changes made after <commit-hash>, leaving them in your working directory.

3. Push the Changes (with Force): Because you're rewriting history, you'll need to force-push your changes. This is highly discouraged on shared repositories as it can cause significant problems for collaborators:

   git push --force-with-lease origin <branch-name>
   

   The --force-with-lease option adds a safety check to prevent accidental overwriting of remote changes.

Method 3: Restoring from GitHub (for accidental deletions)

If you've accidentally deleted files or commits, you can often restore them directly from GitHub's interface.

1. Navigate to the Repository: Go to your GitHub repository.

2. Find the History: Look for the commit history.

3. Restore Files: If you've deleted specific files, you might be able to restore them from a previous commit. This usually involves downloading the files from the older commit.

4. Compare and Restore: Use the GitHub comparison tool to view the differences between commits. This can help identify the changes you need to restore.

Choosing the Right Method

• git revert: Safe, preserves history, ideal for shared repositories.
• git reset: Powerful but risky, rewrites history, avoid on shared repositories unless absolutely necessary.
• GitHub Restore: Useful for recovering accidentally deleted files or commits.

Remember to always commit your changes frequently and utilize branching strategies to minimize the impact of accidental errors. Understanding Git's capabilities allows you to confidently navigate through unexpected issues and maintain a clean, well-organized project history.