Difference between stash vs stage files in GIT

Question

When I need to save my changes from one branch before checking out to another branch, git sometimes says: stage or commit the files before you can checkout to another branch. But I have been recommended to use stash option so:

1. Stage the files is not enough to save my files before checking out to another branch?

2. What are the differences between stage and stash files?

Thanks

Answer 1

1.- More than "save" your files, is act as Git expect to according their flow. (Advice, Git knows :) )

2.- Stash will move your modified files into a stack. So, later in the same or in another branch, you will be able to bring them back and see those modifications in your project.

Stage is the step before to make a commit, you add modified files to "Staged files" to create your next commit.

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Now, you stash your files with

$git stash

and you add files (stage) with

$git add

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Now, why is better stash your changes than staging them? Maybe this part of the documentation can solve your doubts: From documentation:

Stashing:

Often, when you’ve been working on part of your project, things are in a messy state and you want to switch branches for a bit to work on something else. The problem is, you don’t want to do a commit of half-done work just so you can get back to this point later. The answer to this issue is the git stash command.

See the links below :

• Git Stashing Doc
• Git Add Doc
• Staging example
• Git Basics