How do I delete a Git branch locally and remotely?

Explanation

Here we will see how can one delete a Git branch locally and remotely

Executive Summary

$ git push -d <remote_name> <branchname>
$ git branch -d <branchname>

Here we have to note that origin will be <remote_name>  in many cases.

Delete Local Branch

So if one wants to delete any local branch at that time we can use:  

$ git branch -d <branch_name>
$ git branch -D <branch_name>
    • Here we use option -d. This option is an alias for --delete. This will delete the branch which is merged in the upstream branch. 
    • The -D the option is an alias fo--delete --force, which deletes the branch “irrespective of its merged status.” [Source: man git-branch]
    •  Also there an error will occur. If one tries to delete the branch which is currently in work and is selected.

Delete Remote Branch

To delete a remote branch, there is a Git v1.7.0 available. So that you can delete a remote branch using the following: 

$ git push <remote_name> --delete <branch_name>

And this is easy to remember than the following: 

$ git push <remote_name> :<branch_name>

which was added in Git v1.5.0 “to delete a remote branch or a tag.”

You can also use Git v2.8.0. Using this you can also use git push the option -d . This is used as an alias for --delete . Also, the Git versions are also capable to dictate by the versions which syntax you need to use. The easier or the harder one

 

Also, read how do I undo the most recent local commits in Git?

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