Index (Staging Area)
The index, also known as the staging area, is an intermediate area where you prepare changes before committing them. When you stage changes, you add them to the index, making them ready for the next commit.
Key Points about the Index
- Prepares Changes for Commit: The index holds a snapshot of your changes that will be included in the next commit.
- Separate from Working Tree: Changes in the working tree must be explicitly staged before they move to the index.
- Allows for Partial Commits: You can choose to stage only specific changes, enabling more precise and meaningful commits.
Git – Difference Between HEAD, Working Tree and Index
Git, a popular version control system, helps developers track changes and collaborate on projects efficiently. To use Git effectively, it’s essential to understand its key components: HEAD, the working tree, and the index (also known as the staging area). This article will explain these concepts and highlight their differences, helping you gain a deeper understanding of Git’s functionality.
Git as a version-control-system manages and manipulates three trees in its normal operation:
- HEAD: Last commit snapshot, next parent
- Index: Proposed next commit snapshot
- Working Directory: Sandbox