Git Flow vs Github Flow
There are basically two ways to manage the software projects in GIT - Git flow and GitHub flow. These two flows can help you manage your project and optimize your entire workflow in the team.
In this article, we will explore the differences between Git Flow and GitHub Flow, their advantages, and which one you should use depending on your project’s needs.
Difference between Git Flow and GitHub Flow
Here is a detailed comparison of Git Flow and GitHub Flow based on various features:
Feature | Git Flow | GitHub Flow |
|---|---|---|
Branching Model | Uses many branches (e.g., feature, develop, release, hotfix) | Uses just one main branch (main) + feature branches |
Ideal Team Size | Large teams with a structured approach to release management | Small to medium teams or teams using CI/CD |
Flexibility | Structured, but harder to make quick changes | Very flexible, making it easier to make rapid changes and deploy quickly |
Release Strategy | Plans are released ahead of time using a separate release branch | Releases happen immediately after merging a feature |
Workflow Complexity | High complexity with clear separation between different types of tasks (e.g., features, releases) | Simple and less complicated, focused on short cycles. |
Merge Process | Merges occur when a feature is completed, but also during release and hotfix stages | Merges happen as soon as a feature branch is ready, often after code review |
Focus | Focus on version control and stable, production-ready code | Focus on continuous integration and delivery with frequent updates |
Use Case | Best for projects that need stable versions and careful release management | Great for projects that need frequent updates and fast delivery |
GitHub Flow
GitHub flow is simpler and involves no release branches because your deployment to production happens every day. There are two types of branches involved in this flow: the master branch and the feature branch.
- When you are working on a project, you need to create a Feature branch out of your master branch and work on it.
- Once you have developed a feature and tested the changes completely, Then you can create a pull request (PR) to the master branch.
- Once the changes in the feature branch are reviewed and approved against the PR request, then the Branch is merged with the master branch.
- Branches let you work on new features and fix bugs.
Key Features of GitHub Flow
- Main Branch (main): This branch always contains deployable, production-ready code.
- Feature Branches: Developers create a new branch for each feature or bug fix. Once work on a feature is completed, a pull request (PR) is opened for review and merging into the main branch.
- Pull Requests: Once the feature branch is complete, a pull request is created to merge it into the main branch. The PR is reviewed and, once approved, is merged into main.
Creating Feature branch out of the master branch using checkout
For instance, You want to create a new branch 'Feature' from the 'master' branch. To achieve that, you have to call the the "git checkout" command with "-b" option and add the branch name as 'Feature'
$ git checkout -b <branch-name>
By using the 'git checkout' command you are creating a new branch and you are switching to the new branch automatically.
To explain the GitHub flow in simple steps, Refer to the below points:
- You need to create a new branch out of the master branch when you want to develop a new feature or fix bugs.
- Commit your changes to the feature branch locally and keep pushing your work on the same feature branch.
- When you need help or feedback and you think you have developed the feature completely and your branch is ready for merging, then open a pull request(PR)
- When someone has reviewed and approved the changes of the feature branch, you can merge it to the master.
- Once it is merged and pushed to the master, you can deploy it immediately.
Pros and Cons of GitHub Flow
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Simple and easy to use for small to medium projects | Lacks structure for complex, long-term projects |
Ideal for fast, continuous delivery of features | Not suitable for projects that need heavy branching or releases |
Encourages collaboration through pull requests | This canand lead to issues with versioning if not managed carefully |
Git Flow
Git Flow is usually more complicated than GitHub flow. It is used when your software has the concept of “release”. This flow works perfectly when you work in a team of one or more developers and they collaborate on the same feature. Mainly it is suited for the larger projects.
Key Features of Git Flow
Main Branches in Git Flow
- Master: Represent the production-ready state of code.
- Develop: Represents the latest development changes.
Supporting Branches
- Feature Branches: Created from develop for new features. Once completed, they are merged back into develop.
- Release Branches: Branched off from develop and used for preparing new releases. Once stable, they are merged into both develop and master.
- Hotfix Branches: Created from master to fix urgent production issues. Once completed, they are merged back into both master and develop.
From a CI/CD perspective, we only want to deploy the develop and master branches respectively. Develop branch should be sent to dev or test environments. The master branch ends up in production environments.
Pros and Cons of Git Flow
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Each branch has a specific task (e.g., feature, release, hotfix), making it easy to manage. | Managing multiple branches and rules can be confusing. |
Allows switching between tasks, like working on future or urgent features. | Requires extra work to maintain multiple released versions. |
Helps organize development and makes it easy to track changes. | Its rigid structure clashes with the flexibility needed in Agile development. |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Git Flow if:
- Your project involves multiple releases and needs a clear structure for handling them.
- You’re working in a large team or on a complex project where releases and hotfixes need careful management.
Choose GitHub Flow if:
- You need rapid deployment and continuous integration.
- You prefer a simple workflow with fewer branching strategies and prioritize quick iteration and collaboration.
