Git Fetch vs Pull: Differences and Usage Scenarios

In Git, `fetch` and `pull` are commonly used commands to pull remote code. The core difference lies in whether they automatically merge, provided that you understand "remote tracking branches" (mirrors of remote branches on the local machine). - **`git fetch`**: Only pulls remote updates to the local remote tracking branches (e.g., `origin/master`) without automatic merging. You must manually execute `git merge`. It is suitable for first reviewing remote updates before deciding whether to merge and will not affect the local working directory. - **`git pull`**: Essentially combines `fetch` with an automatic `merge`. After pulling, it directly merges the changes into the current branch, which may require manual resolution of code conflicts. It is suitable for scenarios where immediate synchronization with remote updates is needed, but may overwrite uncommitted local modifications. **Core Difference**: `fetch` is flexible (review before merging), while `pull` is efficient (pull and merge immediately). Choose based on whether automatic merging is required to avoid issues caused by conflicts or uncommitted modifications.