How do you compare code changes using version control?

Version control systems (VCS) are tools that help programmers track and manage changes to their code. They allow you to create snapshots of your code at different points in time, called commits, and compare them with other versions. Comparing code changes can help you identify errors, review modifications, and merge branches. In this article, you will learn how to compare code changes using version control, and what benefits it can bring to your coding workflow.

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1 Why compare code changes?

Comparing code changes is a useful practice for several reasons. First, it can help you debug your code by showing you what changes were made before an error occurred. Second, it can help you review your own or other people's code by highlighting the additions, deletions, and modifications in each commit. Third, it can help you merge different branches of your code by resolving conflicts and integrating features. Comparing code changes can also help you document your code history and improve your code quality.

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Jorge Colon

I’m a consultant helping your development teams become smarter, efficient, and solve complex problems for mission critical systems
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Comparing code changes is absolutely essential because any change means a form of risk. One small change could make the difference between a company losing millions in a short amount of time or not. And when going to a production environment, double and triple checking code changes are paramount.

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Mani Ratna Gupta Yekkala

Frontend Developer
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To make it simple, compare code changes 1.)to not break the production. 2.)understand the code you senior folks have written.

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2 How to compare code changes?

Comparing code changes using version control can be done in various ways, depending on the VCS and the desired level of detail. For instance, many VCS have GUI tools such as GitKraken, Sourcetree, and GitHub Desktop, which allow for a visual comparison of code changes with colors, symbols, and side-by-side views. Additionally, there are CLI tools such as git diff, git log, and git show which offer more control over how to compare code changes. Finally, web-based services like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket provide pull requests, code reviews, and merge requests for easier collaboration and sharing of code changes.

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Mani Ratna Gupta Yekkala

Frontend Developer
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I simply compare code changes either in vs code using 1.)"Hold down the Ctrl key and select two files in the Solution Explorer that you want to compare. After selecting the files, right-click and choose “Compare Selected” from the context menu." 2.)You can check in the diff tab which is specific to each commit in your repository.

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3 What to look for when comparing code changes?

When comparing code changes using version control, there are several aspects that should be taken into consideration. First, it is important to understand why the change was made, if it matches the commit message and project requirements. Second, you should evaluate the quality of the change by checking if it follows coding standards and conventions, as well as if it introduces any bugs or vulnerabilities. Finally, you should assess the impact of the change on the rest of your code, especially if it involves dependencies, libraries, or frameworks. Additionally, you should test if the change works as expected and does not break any functionality.

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Mani Ratna Gupta Yekkala

Frontend Developer
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1.)Check code quality as per your project/team conventions. 2.)How the feature is working and if its matching the requirement.

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4 How to handle conflicts when comparing code changes?

One of the challenges of comparing code changes using version control is handling conflicts. Conflicts occur when two or more versions of the same code have different changes that cannot be merged automatically. For example, if you and your teammate both edit the same line of code in different ways, a conflict will arise when you try to merge your branches. To resolve conflicts, you need to manually edit the code and choose which version to keep or combine. You can use GUI, CLI, or web-based tools to help you identify and resolve conflicts, depending on your preference and situation.

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Mani Ratna Gupta Yekkala

Frontend Developer
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Simply use the VS code merge conflict resolver, discuss with your team on which changes to go in the final merge. If needed both changes just accept both.

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5 How to improve your skills in comparing code changes?

Comparing code changes using version control is a skill that you can improve with practice and learning. To enhance your skills, use a consistent and descriptive naming convention for your commits, branches, and pull requests. Additionally, write clear and concise commit messages that explain what and why you changed the code. You can also use comments and documentation to explain your code logic and decisions. Furthermore, review your own and other people's code changes regularly and provide constructive feedback. Finally, experiment with different tools and methods to compare code changes and find what works best for you and your project. All of these tips will help you optimize your coding workflow and productivity.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you compare code changes using version control?

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1 Why compare code changes?

2 How to compare code changes?

3 What to look for when comparing code changes?

4 How to handle conflicts when comparing code changes?

5 How to improve your skills in comparing code changes?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Programming

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How do you compare code changes using version control?

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5

6

1 Why compare code changes?

2 How to compare code changes?

3 What to look for when comparing code changes?

4 How to handle conflicts when comparing code changes?

5 How to improve your skills in comparing code changes?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Programming

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