Git & CollaborationIntermediate
Fast-forward
PronunciationFAST-for-werd
Definition
A type of Git merge that occurs when there is a linear path from the current branch tip to the target branch tip. Git simply moves the branch pointer forward to the latest commit without creating a new merge commit.
Where you hear it
During pull request reviews, team discussions about repository history, or when running git merge commands.
Examples
The branch was merged using a fast-forward strategy to keep the history clean.
You cannot perform a fast-forward merge because the branches have diverged.
Common mistake
Assuming that a fast-forward merge always creates a merge commit; in reality, it avoids creating one entirely, which can sometimes make it harder to identify when a specific feature branch was integrated.
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