What is a submodule?

Learn to embed another repository with a submodule.

What is a submodule?

A Git submodule allows one Git repository to be used as a separate repository inside another repository. The parent repository does not directly include the submodule's entire history; instead, it stores a reference to a specific commit in the submodule. This lets you use a shared library or independent project within another project.

project/
├── app/
└── libraries/
    └── shared-ui/

A submodule has its own Git history and working directory. It can be updated independently of the parent repository.

Parent and nested repository relationship

A parent repository containing a submodule records which commit the submodule should use. The nested repository keeps its own files and commit history separate. When you create a new commit inside the submodule, you must also record the updated submodule reference in the parent repository.

git status
# modified: libraries/shared-ui (new commits)

This structure helps you keep dependent projects on specific versions.

Exercise Inspect the submodule directory

To verify that libraries/shared-ui is its own repository, enter that directory and display the Git repository root.

Show example solution

cd libraries/shared-ui
git rev-parse --show-toplevel

Test yourself

You want to use another Git repository inside a project while keeping its history separate. Which Git feature meets this need?
- Git reflog
- Git tag
- Git submodule
- Git stash
Show answer

Git submodule — A submodule lets you use another Git repository inside the parent project with its own independent history.

Identify the submodule reference

Ana depo, alt modülün belirli bir ____ bilgisini saklar.

Show answer

Ana depo, alt modülün belirli bir commit bilgisini saklar.

Parts of a submodule structure

Ana depo

Stores the submodule reference
Alt depo

Has its own commit history
Commit referansı

Specifies the submodule revision
Alt modül dizini

Contains the nested repository files

Next lesson: submodule add

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