Git Merge
Git Merge is a command in the Git version control system that integrates changes from one branch into another, combining their commit histories. It is a fundamental operation for managing parallel development workflows, such as feature branches or team collaboration. The merge process can result in a fast-forward merge if the target branch has no new commits, or a three-way merge when both branches have diverged, potentially requiring conflict resolution.
Developers should use Git Merge when they need to incorporate completed work from a feature branch back into a main branch (e.g., merging a feature into 'main' or 'master'), or to synchronize changes between branches in collaborative projects. It is essential for maintaining a linear or branched history in Git, enabling teams to work independently on features and later integrate them, though it may require manual conflict resolution in complex cases. Alternatives like Git Rebase might be preferred for cleaner histories, but merge is often used in workflows like Git Flow for its explicit merge commits.