What is the difference between 'git switch' and 'git checkout'?

The commands 'git switch' and 'git checkout' are both used in Git for navigating between branches. However, 'git switch' was introduced as a more focused alternative to 'git checkout', which has several overlapping responsibilities. Here's a breakdown of their differences:

1. Primary Function:

- `git checkout`: This is an older command with multiple responsibilities. It is used for:

     - Switching branches (e.g., git checkout main).

     - Restoring files from the staging area (e.g., git checkout -- file.txt).

     - Creating new branches (e.g., git checkout -b new-branch).

- `git switch`: This is a newer command designed specifically for switching branches. It aims to separate the branch-switching functionality from other uses of git checkout. It is used for:

     - Switching branches (e.g., git switch main).

     - Creating new branches (e.g., git switch -c new-branch).

2. Clarity and Focus:

- `git checkout`'s multiple roles can sometimes cause confusion, especially for newcomers to Git. It can be difficult to remember whether it's for switching branches or discarding changes to files.

- `git switch` is more explicit and easier to understand. Its primary purpose is to switch branches, making it clearer in intent.

3. Usage Examples:

- To switch to the 'main' branch:

     - Using `git checkout`: git checkout main

     - Using `git switch`: git switch main

- To create and switch to a new branch called 'feature-branch':

     - Using `git checkout`: git checkout -b feature-branch

     - Using `git switch`: git switch -c feature-branch

4. Related Commands:

- `git restore` replaced the file restoration functionality of `git checkout`. So, if you want to discard changes to a file, you'd now use something like git restore file.txt

5. Summary:

- `git switch` is a more modern and focused command specifically for branch management, making it easier to understand. `git checkout` is an older command with more responsibilities, some of which have been separated into commands like `git restore`.

For most common branch switching tasks, `git switch` is recommended for its clearer intent and simplicity. However, `git checkout` is still available and used for operations related to checking out specific commits and discarding changes when combined with `--`.

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