How do I force "git pull" to overwrite local files?

 There might be situations where you want to discard your local changes and synchronise your working directory with the latest version from the remote repository. While a regular git pull attempts to merge changes, it can prompt conflict resolution if the same file has been modified locally and remotely.

This article will guide you through two methods to force an overwrite of local files during a pull operation:

Method 1: Using git fetch and git reset

This approach involves two separate commands:

1. git fetch --all: This fetches the latest changes from all remotes and branches but doesn't integrate them into your working directory.
2. git reset --hard origin/<branch-name>: This resets your current branch to match the state of the remote branch specified by <branch-name> on the remote named "origin" (replace "origin" if your remote has a different name). The --hard flag discards any local changes you have.

Code Sampler:

Bash

git fetch --all
git reset --hard origin/master  # Replace "master" with your branch name

Use code with caution.

Method 2: Using git pull -f (Force)

While not recommended for regular use, git allows a forceful pull using the -f flag. This command fetches and integrates changes from the remote branch, discarding any local modifications and potentially causing data loss.

Code Sampler (Use with Caution!)

Bash

git pull -f origin/<branch-name>  # Replace "master" with your branch name

Use code with caution.

Important Considerations:

• Both methods discard any uncommitted changes in your working directory.
• Using git pull -f can lead to data loss if you haven't pushed your local commits.
• It's recommended to back up your local repository before using these commands, especially git pull -f.

Alternatives:

• If you want to preserve your local changes, consider stashing them before the pull using git stash --include-untracked and then applying them after the pull with git stash pop.
• Rebasing your local branch on top of the remote branch can integrate changes while preserving your local commit history.

Conclusion

Forcing an overwrite of local files during a pull can be helpful in specific scenarios. However, it's crucial to understand the potential data loss and choose the method that best suits your situation. Remember to back up your work and prioritize preserving your commits whenever possible.

Obs: You can also consult this StackOverflow Git Guide