Fast-forward

Learn when a fast-forward merge happens.

What Is Fast-Forward?

Fast-forward is a simple type of merge that can occur when the target branch has no new commits independent of the source branch. Git advances the target branch pointer to the latest commit on the source branch without creating a new merge commit.

main:    A
              \
feature:       B -- C

# main advances to C

The resulting commit history remains linear.

Linear Commit History

After a fast-forward, commits follow a single line. There is no separate commit indicating that the branches were merged.

A -- B -- C
     main  feature

This method is useful when you want to keep the history between two branches linear. A normal fast-forward cannot occur if the target branch has an independent commit.

Exercise Prepare a Fast-Forward Command

You are on the main branch and want to merge the progress from topic. Assign the command to the mergeCommand variable and print it.

Show example solution

const mergeCommand = "git merge topic";

console.log(mergeCommand);

Test yourself

What does Git do during a fast-forward merge?
- Combines commit messages
- Advances the target branch pointer
- Deletes both branches
- Always creates a new merge commit
Show answer

Advances the target branch pointer — During a fast-forward, the target branch pointer moves to the commit reached by the source branch. No additional merge commit is needed.

Write the Fast-Forward Merge Command

git switch main
____

Show answer

git switch main
git merge feature

Fast-Forward Characteristics

Fast-forward

Advances the branch pointer
Doğrusal geçmiş

Commits in a single line
Merge commit

Not created in fast-forward
Bağımsız commit

Can prevent fast-forward

Next lesson: Three-way merge

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