Git Commit vs Git Add: What's the Real Difference?

In the world of Git, two commands often get mixed up: git add . and git commit -am "message". While they might seem similar at first glance, they serve distinct purposes, and understanding their differences can save you from unnecessary headaches.

Let’s dive into what they really do, when to use them, and some additional tips you might not have considered.

1️⃣ The Basics

• git add .
  This command tells Git:

“Take all the changes (new, modified, deleted) in the current directory and stage them for the next commit.”

It doesn’t commit anything yet. It just prepares the files. Think of it as lining up your changes for review before you seal the deal with a commit. This includes:

• New files: Yes.
• Modified files: Yes.
• Deleted files: Yes.

Once you’ve done git add ., you’ll still need to run:

git commit -m "Your commit message"

• git commit -am "Your commit message"
  This is like saying:

“Automatically stage all modified and deleted files (tracked ones only) and commit them with the message I provided.”

It skips the staging step for files that Git already knows about (tracked files), but ignores new files you haven’t explicitly added yet.

2️⃣ Key Differences

3️⃣ But Wait… There’s More!

Here are some extra considerations you might not have thought of:

✅ Why git commit -am skips new files:
Git only stages files it already knows. If you create a brand-new file, it’s considered untracked. You need to explicitly tell Git,

git add newfile.txt

before git commit -am will include it. This is a safety feature to avoid accidentally committing files you didn’t intend to.

✅ The Dot in git add . Matters:
That . means “current directory and everything inside it.” Be careful—if you’re in a subdirectory, it might only add files from that subdirectory. Use git add -A or git add --all for a broader sweep.

✅ Forgetting to Add New Files with -am:
Many developers forget to run git add for new files when relying too much on git commit -am. This often leads to commits missing those files, which can be frustrating during deployment or merges.

✅ Selective Staging with git add:
You don’t have to stage everything. You can run:

git add file1.js file2.css

to stage specific files, review changes, and commit only the ones you’re confident about.

✅ Better Commit Practices:
While git commit -am is convenient for quick commits, larger or more critical commits are better handled with deliberate staging (git add . or selective git add) and a clear commit message. This gives you more control and reduces mistakes.

✅ Interactive Staging (git add -p):
For fine-grained control, use:

git add -p

This lets you review hunks of changes and decide which to stage, especially useful when you’ve made multiple unrelated changes.

4️⃣ So, Which Should You Use?

• Use git add . when:
  • You have new files to commit.
  • You want to carefully review changes before committing.
  • You need precise control over what’s being staged.
• Use git commit -am when:
  • You only modified or deleted existing files (no new files).
  • You want a quick, one-step commit.
  • You’re doing frequent, small updates during active development.

5️⃣ Pro Tip: Avoid Bad Habits!

Many developers, especially under tight deadlines, overuse git commit -am. It’s fast, but it can lead to:

• Missed new files in commits.
• Messy commit histories.
• Accidental commits of incomplete changes.

The best practice is to stage intentionally, review diffs, and write meaningful commit messages.

Finally

In the world of Git, precision matters. While git commit -am is convenient, don’t let it replace the discipline of carefully staging and committing. Use git add . or even better, git add -p, to maintain a clean and intentional history.

Remember:

• git add . = Stage everything, then commit.
• git commit -am = Quick commit for modified/deleted tracked files (no new files).

So, next time you’re about to mash that git commit -am, take a moment—ask yourself, “Am I missing anything important?”

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