git checkout –track branch origin/branch VS git checkout -b branch origin/branch

Git has extensive features that stand out from other tracking tools, like creating several branches for each development module, switching from one branch to another whenever required, setting local branches as remote-tracking branches, and many more. Developers are also allowed to create, switch, and set as track a local branch simultaneously. For this purpose, the “$ git checkout -b <branch> origin/<branch>” command can be used. Moreover, if you only want to set a remote branch as a local tracking branch without switching to it, utilize the “$ git checkout –track <branch>origin/<branch>” command.

In this post, you will learn about:

• How to Use “git checkout –track branch origin/branch” Command?
• How to Use “git checkout -b branch origin/branch” Command?

How to Use “git checkout –track branch origin/branch” Command?

To use the “$ git checkout –track <branch>origin/<branch>” command, first, move to the Git local repository and check the list of existing remote and local branches. Then, execute the particular command.

Step 1: Move to Git Directory

First, execute the “cd” command along with the Git local repository path and move to it:

Step 2: View Existing Local and Remote Branches

To list the existing branches, utilize the “git branch” with the “-a” option to display both remote and local branches list:

It can be observed from the output that we have an “origin/dev” remote branch which is not tracked into the local repository:

Step 3: Set Remote Branch as Local Tracking Branch

Now, run the “git branch” command along with the “–track” option to track a branch and specify the local and remote branch’s name:

The below output shows that the specified remote branch is set as tracking the local branch:

Step 4: Ensure Tracked Branch

Check if the newly added tracked branch exists as a local branch in the list by executing the “git branch” command with the “-a” option:

As you can see, the specified branch is present in the list:

How to Use “git checkout -b branch origin/branch” Command?

The “git checkout -b <branch>“ command creates and switches to a new branch. However, the “origin/<branch” along with the previously described command can be used to set the newly created local branch as a new tracking branch.

Follow the below-listed steps to understand the above-provided statement!

Step 1: Create, Set and Switch to New Tracking Branch

Execute the “git checkout” command with the “-b” option with desired branch name:

In the above-stated command:

• “-b” option is used to create a new branch.
• “git check” command is used to switch to a new branch.
• “dev” is the newly created branch name.
• “origin” is the remote name and “dev” is the remote branch name. Whereas the “origin/dev” sets the newly created branch as a remote-tracking branch.

Here, it can be seen that the new local branch is created and switched successfully, as well as it is settled as a new tracking branch:

Step 2: List Existing All Branches

Lastly, run the below-provided command and verify if the new branch is created and set as a new tracking branch:

That’s all! We have explained the difference between the git checkout –track <branch>origin/<branch> and the git checkout -b <branch> origin/<branch> commands.

Conclusion

The “$ git checkout –track <branch>origin/<branch>” command is utilized when developers need to create and set a new local branch as a new remote-tracking branch without switching to it. However, the “$ git checkout -b <branch> origin/<branch>” command can be used to create, switch, and set as a new remote-tracking branch. This post provided a brief explanation of the git checkout –track <branch>origin/<branch> and the git checkout -b <branch> origin/<branch> commands.