# Branch

URL: https://softwaredictionary.org/terms/branch
Category: Version Control
Last updated: 2026-09-29

In short: A branch in Git is an independent line of development that lets you work on a feature or fix in isolation, without affecting the main code until you merge it.

## What is a branch in Git?

A branch lets you split off from the main line of work to build something new, such as a feature, a bug fix, or an experiment. Commits you make on a branch don't affect other branches, so the main code stays stable while you work. When the work is ready, you combine it back, usually through a merge or a pull request.

In Git, a branch is surprisingly lightweight: it is just a movable pointer to a commit. Each time you commit on a branch, the pointer moves forward to the new commit. A special pointer called `HEAD` tracks which branch you are currently on, which is why creating or switching branches takes almost no time.

A branch is like a parallel copy of a document where you can try out edits freely. If the edits turn out well, you fold them into the original; if not, you simply throw the copy away. Most repositories have a default branch, commonly called `main` (older projects often use `master`), which holds the official version of the code.

Teams usually follow a branching strategy. In trunk-based development, developers create short-lived branches and merge them into `main` frequently, often several times a day, while heavier workflows like Git Flow keep long-lived branches for development, releases, and urgent fixes. A branch is also different from a fork, which is a complete copy of a repository, usually under another account.

## Key takeaways

- A branch is an isolated line of development within a repository.
- In Git, a branch is just a lightweight pointer to a commit.
- The default branch is usually called `main`.
- Short-lived branches that merge often reduce merge conflicts.

## Example: Working on a feature branch

```bash
# Create a new branch and switch to it
git switch -c feature/search-bar

# Edit files, then commit on the branch
git add .
git commit -m "Add search bar component"

# Switch back to main and merge the feature
git switch main
git merge feature/search-bar

# Delete the branch once it has been merged
git branch -d feature/search-bar
```

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the difference between git switch and git checkout?**

`git switch` is a newer command, added in Git 2.23, that does only one job: changing branches. `git checkout` can also switch branches but handles other tasks too, such as restoring files, which many beginners find confusing.

**What is the difference between a branch and a fork?**

A branch is a separate line of work inside the same repository. A fork is a full copy of a repository, typically under a different account, often used to contribute to projects you don't have write access to.

**Why is the default branch called main instead of master?**

Around 2020, major Git hosting platforms and many projects changed their default branch name from `master` to `main` to use more inclusive language. Git itself lets you pick any default name with the `init.defaultBranch` setting.

## Sources

- [Pro Git: Branches in a Nutshell](https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Git-Branching-Branches-in-a-Nutshell)

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Software Dictionary: https://softwaredictionary.org/ · https://softwaredictionary.org/llms.txt