Git Branch Management Quiz

Review

1. What does plain `git branch` do when no branch-management action is supplied?

   The official git-branch documentation says that with no non-option arguments, existing branches are listed.
2. What does `git branch topic` do when main is current?

   The official creation form creates a new branch head at HEAD and does not switch the working tree.
3. What does `git branch -f topic main~1` primarily change?

   The -f form resets an existing branch head to the specified start point; it changes the reference rather than rewriting the commit object.
4. What is the difference between `git branch -m old new` and `git branch -c old new`?

   The official documentation assigns rename semantics to -m/-M and copy semantics to -c/-C.
5. Why can `git branch -d topic` refuse to delete a branch?

   Normal deletion uses Git's safety rule; -D is the forced deletion form.
6. Why should a branch pattern such as `topic/*` be used with `git branch --list`?

   The official documentation warns that a pattern without --list can be interpreted as branch creation.
7. Which statement best describes branch rename, copy, and delete?

   Branches are refs naming commit objects. Their lifecycle operations manage those refs and their names rather than copying the underlying commit objects.
8. Which topic is intentionally separated from this branch-management lesson?

   Branch management and branch switching are separate state transitions. The curriculum gives git switch and HEAD their own ownership.