git-merge:tldr:a1d81

The command "git merge --no-ff ${branch_name}" is used in Git to merge changes from a different branch (${branch_name}) into the current branch.

Here's a breakdown of the command:

• "git merge": This is the base command used in Git to merge branches.
• "--no-ff": The "--no-ff" flag stands for "no fast-forward." By default, Git performs a fast-forward merge when possible, which means it simply moves the pointer of the current branch forward to the specified branch, avoiding an additional merge commit. However, using "--no-ff" ensures that a merge commit is always created, even if a fast-forward merge is possible. This can be particularly useful for maintaining a clear history and preserving the branch relationship.
• "${branch_name}": This is the placeholder for the name of the branch you want to merge into the current branch. You need to replace "${branch_name}" with the actual name of the branch you want to merge.

Overall, this command performs a merge from the specified branch into the current branch, creating a merge commit even if it could be a fast-forward merge.