git checkout <commit> doesn't update commit history

agostinox

I was looking for git HEAD concept and I came across the  Atlassian git tutorial (checking out and reverting)

Now let us execute git checkout b

This is an update to the "Commit History" tree

What does it mean 'This is an update to the Commit History'? This doesn't touch at all the Commit History, just takes out a specific commit into the working tree and, the most important thing, lets the subsequent commits to attach to the HEAD (and this seems to create an unnamed branch that should be avoided in most cases. The most common use case for this situation, called detached HEAD is for reading purposes).

BillyP

Hi @agostinox 

What I think you're asking is about:

git checkout -b [new_branch]

This creates a new branch from the current branch, usually master.  This updates the commit history so others can follow along with what was happening.  Also, it helps with reviewing code at a later time or merging specific features.  

I hope this helps