Git Git Undoing Changes

Question 1

Which Git command undoes a commit by creating a new commit that reverses the changes?

Accepted Answer

git revert

Answer

git revert creates a new commit that reverses a previous commit's changes, keeping the original commit in history.

Question 2

What does `git reset --soft HEAD~1` do?

Accepted Answer

Moves HEAD back one commit but keeps changes staged

Answer

`--soft` moves the HEAD pointer back one commit but leaves all changes intact in the staging area (index).

Question 3

What does `git reset --hard HEAD~1` do?

Accepted Answer

Moves HEAD back one commit and permanently discards all changes

Answer

`--hard` moves HEAD back and discards both staged and working directory changes, making the operation irreversible without reflog.

Question 4

Which command, introduced in Git 2.23, is the recommended modern way to unstage a file?

Accepted Answer

git restore --staged <file>

Answer

`git restore --staged <file>` was introduced in Git 2.23 as the dedicated, clearer command to unstage files without the ambiguity of git checkout.

Question 5

Which command discards unstaged changes to a tracked file in the working directory?

Accepted Answer

git restore <file>

Answer

`git restore <file>` discards working directory changes for a tracked file, restoring it to its last committed (or staged) state.

Git Practice Test