Basics Questions¶
How to use these interview questions
🧠 Read each question carefully.
Try answering it yourself before expanding the answer to compare with the ideal response.
Level: Basics
🟢 Foundational interview questions.
Focus on core concepts, definitions, and building blocks.
1. Which command initializes a new Git repository?
git init.
This command creates a new Git repository, typically by creating a .git directory in your current folder.
2. Which command adds files to the staging area?
git add.
git add moves changes from the working directory to the staging area (index), preparing them for the next commit.
3. Which command creates a new branch?
git branch [name].
This creates a new branch pointer. To create and switch to it immediately, you would use git checkout -b [name].
4. Which command downloads a repository from a remote source?
git clone.
git clone downloads the entire repository history, creates a local copy, and checks out the default branch.
5. Which command shows the status of changes?
git status.
It displays the state of the working directory and staging area, checking for modified, staged, and untracked files.
6. Which command records changes to the repository?
git commit.
git commit captures a snapshot of the project's currently staged changes and saves it to the local history.
7. How do you configure your global username in Git?
git config --global user.name "Your Name".
The --global flag ensures this setting applies to all repositories on your system.
8. Which command sends your local commits to a remote repository?
git push.
git push uploads your local branch commits to the corresponding remote branch.
9. Which file is used to specify files that Git should ignore?
.gitignore.
This file contains patterns (like *.log or node_modules/) that Git will explicitly ignore and not track.
10. Which command lists all your commits?
git log.
git log shows the commit history, including hashes, authors, dates, and messages.
11. How do you check the version of Git installed on your machine?
git --version.
It prints the installed Git suite version number.
12. Which command displays help information about Git commands?
git help [command].
For example, git help commit opens the manual page for the commit command.
13. What is the "Staging Area" (Index)?
The area that holds your prepared snapshot (staged changes) before they are committed.
It acts as a buffer between the working directory and the Git repository history.
14. Which command lists all configured remote repositories?
git remote -v.
It shows the shortnames (like origin) and their corresponding fetch/push URLs.
15. Which directory contains the metadata and object database for your repository?
.git.
Deleting this directory removes the version control history, turning the folder back into a regular directory.
16. What does HEAD usually refer to?
The pointer to the current branch reference (or specific commit) you are currently working on.
It tells Git "where you are" in the repository history.
17. Which command removes a file from the repository and working tree?
git rm.
Unlike standard rm, git rm also stages the deletion for the next commit.
18. Which command renames a file (or moves it)?
git mv.
It is equivalent to mv old new, git rm old, and git add new combined.
19. Which flag adds all modified (tracked) files to the staging area during commit?
-a (e.g., git commit -a).
It automatically stages modified and deleted files but not new (untracked) files.
20. How do you create a tag for a specific commit?
git tag [tag-name].
Tags are often used to mark specific release points (v1.0, v2.0) in history.
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