Git is a widely-used version control system that allows developers to manage changes efficiently. One common operation among Git users is reverting a commit using its SHA hash identifier. If you’re unfamiliar with this concept, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Git revert with SHA hashes.

Step 1: Understanding SHA Hashes in Git

Git uses SHA-1 hashing algorithm to uniquely identify commits. Each commit has a unique SHA hash, which is a hexadecimal string of 40 characters. This allows developers to reference specific commits easily.

Step 2: Identifying the SHA Hash of a Commit

To revert a commit, you first need its SHA hash. You can find it in several places:

  • Command Line: Using git log or git show.
  • Git Web Interface: Most Git hosting platforms display SHA hashes alongside commits.

For example, if you want to revert the last commit, you can use:

git log -1

This will display the most recent commit’s SHA hash.

Step 3: Using git revert with a SHA Hash

The git revert command is used to reverse a commit. It takes two main arguments:

  • The SHA hash or commit object name.
  • An optional branch name (to create a new branch after reverting).

If you want to revert the most recent commit, you can omit the second argument:

git revert

If you prefer using a specific SHA hash, replace <sha> with the hash:

git revert <sha>

Step 4: Understanding the Output of git revert

When you run git revert, Git creates a new branch by default. The name of the new branch is based on the checkout and rebase options used.

For example:

  • If no -b option is provided, Git will create a new branch named after the reverted commit.
  • If you use -b <new_branch_name>, it creates a new branch with that name.

Step 5: Verifying the Reverted Commit

After reverting, verify the changes by viewing the diff or the commit history:

git log <sha>

Or:

git show <sha>

 

This will display the details of the reverted commit, confirming that it has been reverted successfully.

Conclusion

Using Git revert with SHA hashes is a powerful tool for managing your codebase. By following these steps, you can easily revert any commit in your repository. Remember that SHA hashes provide a unique reference to commits, allowing for precise rollbacks when needed. Whether you’re working alone or in a team, mastering Git commands like git revert will help streamline your workflow and maintain better control over your code history. So next time you need to undo a change, reach for the SHA hash and use Git’s powerful revert functionality—it’ll save you from many headaches down the line!

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Last Update: February 6, 2025