Final answer:
The difference between git pull and fetch git is that git fetch retrieves new data from the remote repository without integrating any changes into the local repository, while git pull not only fetches but also merges the changes automatically.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between git pull and fetch git lies in their functionality related to updating the local repository. Git fetch is a command that retrieves the latest metadata information from the remote repository but it does not integrate any changes into your working directory or your current branch. Essentially, it fetches the updates made in the remote repository, including new branches or tags, but without altering your current working files. This allows you to review changes before integrating them into your local repository.
On the other hand, git pull goes a step further than git fetch. It not only fetches the new metadata from the remote repository but also automatically merges the changes into your current branch. This command is a combination of git fetch followed by git merge, making it a two-in-one operation that updates your local branch to match the corresponding remote branch.
Therefore, when you run git pull, you may be bringing in changes from the remote repository and directly integrating them into your local files, potentially leading to merge conflicts if there are diverging changes. Git fetch allows you to fetch changes without merging them, giving you the opportunity to review and merge at your own discretion.