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What is HEAD in Git?

HEAD is a special pointer which tells Git where you are now. Usually it points to the current branch, and that branch points to its latest commit. When you make a new commit, the branch and HEAD move forward.

Terminal output

$ git log –oneline
f411fbd (HEAD -> main) Second
0057196 First
$ git show –oneline –no-patch HEAD~1
0057196 First

  • HEAD is the current commit.
  • HEAD~1 (or HEAD^) is its parent, HEAD~2 is two commits back.
  • If HEAD points to a commit and not a branch, it is called a detached HEAD.

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