git-fetch:tldr:0d4c2

The command "git fetch" is used in git version control system to update your local repository with remote changes without modifying your local branch. It allows you to download all the changes from a remote repository to your local repository, so you have access to the latest remote updates.

When you run "git fetch", git contacts the remote repository specified in your configuration file and retrieves all the new branches, commits, and other objects present in the remote repository that you do not have in your local repository. This allows you to see the updates made by other team members or contributors without integrating those changes into your active working branch.

Git fetch won't change your working directory or your local branch. It fetches the changes and stores them in a separate area called "remote-tracking branches" or "remote branches". These branches are named after the remote repository and the corresponding branch name.

Once you have fetched the changes, you can examine the changes, compare branches, create a new branch based on the fetched changes, merge the fetched changes with your local branch, or run any other git operations on the fetched data.

It is important to note that "git fetch" does not merge or integrate the fetched changes with your local branch automatically. For that, you need to use commands like "git merge" or "git pull" to bring the changes into your local branch.

In summary, "git fetch" is used to retrieve the latest changes from a remote repository and store them in your local repository without modifying your working branch.