Final answer:
To go back to a previous commit in GitHub, you can use the git checkout command with the commit hash. To simply view the state, use the command without creating a new branch. If you intend to make changes, it is safer to create a new branch from the checkout point to avoid a detached HEAD state.
Step-by-step explanation:
To go back to a previous commit in GitHub, you can use the git checkout command followed by the commit hash. This command will move your current HEAD to the specified commit, which can be useful for viewing the project at that state, or starting a new branch from there. If you simply want to inspect the previous state without making any changes, checking out a commit without creating a branch is fine. However, if you intend to make changes and potentially submit them, it's advisable to create a new branch from that commit.
Here's a basic sequence of commands that demonstrates how to do this:To go back to a previous commit in GitHub, you can use the Git command git checkout followed by the unique identifier of the commit. This identifier is usually a long string of characters called a commit hash. First, you need to find the commit hash of the previous commit you want to go back to. You can use the git log command to view the commit history and find the hash of the desired commit. Then, you can run git checkout commit_hash to switch to that commit, effectively going back to that versionRemember, any changes you make while in a detached HEAD state will not belong to any branch and can be difficult to find later if not handled correctly. Always consider your workflow and whether it's best to make a temporary inspection or to start a new line of development from an old state.