Ask Difference

Commit vs. Push — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
A commit records changes to a local repository, while a push sends those committed changes from a local repository to a remote repository.
Commit vs. Push — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Commit and Push

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Key Differences

A commit is a local operation that saves changes to the version history of a local repository, acting as a snapshot of the current state. A push, on the other hand, is used to send these committed changes to a remote repository, making them available to others.
With a commit, changes remain private until shared or pushed, enabling developers to work independently without impacting others. A push broadcasts these changes to the larger team or project.
Committing changes often involves writing descriptive messages to explain the nature of modifications. Pushing changes simply transmits the latest commits, making them accessible remotely.
Commits are incremental, meaning developers can create a series of small, logical changes. Pushing, however, usually involves transmitting a batch of commits as a unified group.
The commit operation can happen multiple times locally, letting developers refine their changes before sharing. Pushing generally happens less frequently since it publishes these changes for collaboration.
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Comparison Chart

Scope

Local repository
Remote repository

Purpose

Record local changes
Share local changes remotely

Visibility

Private to the developer
Public to others with access

Frequency

Frequent (per change)
Less frequent (after grouping changes)

Workflow

Creates a history of logical steps
Updates the remote repository with new commits

Compare with Definitions

Commit

To officially record changes made to files or directories within a version control system.
He decided to commit the changes after fixing the last known bug.

Push

To transmit data or changes from a local environment to a server or network.
After reviewing the code, he will push the updates by noon.

Commit

A confirmed addition of data to a repository.
Check the latest commit to see when the error was introduced.

Push

The action of updating a remote repository with local developments.
The push from yesterday included all the features we need for the prototype.

Commit

To enter into a binding agreement or pledge, especially in the context of changes in software.
She committed to maintaining the legacy code until the new system is ready.

Push

To distribute software updates or data to multiple users or systems.
The system admin will push the security update to all users tonight.

Commit

An instance of sending project data securely to a database or storage system.
Every commit is backed up by the system automatically to prevent data loss.

Push

An act of sending information or notifications from a central server to devices.
The push of notifications has been set up to alert users immediately after an update.

Commit

To finalize or make changes permanent in the context of database transactions.
Once you commit the transaction, the database will update accordingly.

Push

To enforce or apply updates to connected systems or applications.
Once tested, he will push the configuration changes to the live servers.

Commit

To do, perform, or perpetrate
Commit a murder.

Push

To apply pressure against (something), especially for the purpose of moving it
Pushed the door but couldn't budge it.

Commit

To put in trust or charge; entrust
Commit oneself to the care of a doctor.
Commit responsibilities to an assistant.

Push

To move (something) by exerting force against it; thrust or shove
Pushed the crate aside.

Commit

To consign for future use or for preservation
We must commit the necessary funds for the project.

Push

To exert downward pressure on (a button or keyboard, for example); press.

Commit

To place officially in confinement or custody, as in a mental health facility.

Push

To force (one's way)
We pushed our way through the crowd.

Commit

To put into a place to be disposed of or kept safe
Committed the manuscript to the flames.

Push

To urge forward or urge insistently; pressure
Pushed him to study harder.

Commit

To make known the views of (oneself) on an issue
I never commit myself on such issues.

Push

To extend or enlarge
Pushed sales into the millions.

Commit

To bind, obligate, or devote, as by a pledge
They were committed to follow orders. She committed herself to her art.

Push

(Informal) To approach in age
Is pushing 40 and still hasn't settled down.

Commit

To refer (a legislative bill, for example) to a committee.

Push

(Informal) To promote or sell (a product)
The author pushed her latest book by making appearances in bookstores.

Commit

To pledge, obligate, or devote one's own self
Felt that he was too young to commit fully to marriage.

Push

(Slang) To sell (a narcotic) illegally
Push drugs.

Commit

(transitive) To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.

Push

(Sports) To hit (a ball) in the direction toward the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the right of a right-handed player.

Commit

(transitive) To imprison: to forcibly place in a jail.

Push

To exert pressure or force against something
Winds pushing against the sail.

Commit

(transitive) To forcibly evaluate and treat in a medical facility, particularly for presumed mental illness.
Tony should be committed to a nuthouse!

Push

To advance despite difficulty or opposition; press forward
The regiment pushed toward the front line.

Commit

(transitive) To do (something bad); to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
To commit murder
To commit a series of heinous crimes

Push

To advocate or recommend something insistently
Pushed for a change in leadership.

Commit

(ambitransitive) To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step. Traditionally used only reflexively but now also without oneself etc.
To commit oneself to a certain action
To commit to a relationship

Push

To expend great or vigorous effort
Pushed to finish his paper by the deadline.

Commit

To make a set of changes permanent.

Push

The act of pushing; a thrust
Gave the door a push.

Commit

To integrate new revisions into the public or master version of a file in a version control system.

Push

The act of pressing
With a push of the button.

Commit

To enter into a contest; to match; often followed by with.

Push

A vigorous or insistent effort toward an end; a drive
A push to reform health care.

Commit

To confound.

Push

A provocation to action; a stimulus
Has artistic talent but needs a push to get started.

Commit

To commit an offence; especially, to fornicate.

Push

(Informal) Persevering energy; enterprise
Doesn't have the push to get the job done.

Commit

To be committed or perpetrated; to take place; to occur.

Push

To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force.
In his anger he pushed me against the wall and threatened me.
You need to push quite hard to get this door open.

Commit

The act of committing (e.g. a database transaction), making it a permanent change; such a change.

Push

(transitive) To continually attempt to persuade (a person) into a particular course of action.

Commit

(programming) The submission of source code or other material to a source control repository.

Push

(transitive) To press or urge forward; to drive.
To push an objection too far; to push one's luck

Commit

To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to intrust; to consign; - used with to, unto.
Commit thy way unto the Lord.
Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave.

Push

(transitive) To continually promote (a point of view, a product for sale, etc.).
Stop pushing the issue — I'm not interested.
They're pushing that perfume again.
There were two men hanging around the school gates today, pushing drugs.

Commit

To put in charge of a jailor; to imprison.
These two were committed.

Push

(intransitive) To continually exert oneself in order to achieve a goal.

Commit

To do; to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Push

To approach; to come close to.
My old car is pushing 250,000 miles.

Commit

To join for a contest; to match; - followed by with.

Push

(intransitive) To tense the muscles in the abdomen in order to expel its contents.
During childbirth, there are times when the obstetrician advises the woman not to push.

Commit

To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step; - often used reflexively; as, to commit one's self to a certain course.
You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without commiting the honor of your sovereign.
Any sudden assent to the proposal . . . might possibly be considered as committing the faith of the United States.

Push

(intransitive) To continue to attempt to persuade a person into a particular course of action.

Commit

To confound.
Committing short and long [quantities].

Push

To make a higher bid at an auction.

Commit

To sin; esp., to be incontinent.
Commit not with man's sworn spouse.

Push

(poker) To make an all-in bet.

Commit

Perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;
Perpetrate a crime
Pull a bank robbery

Push

To move (a pawn) directly forward.

Commit

Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church

Push

(computing) To add (a data item) to the top of a stack.

Commit

Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison

Push

(computing) To publish (an update, etc.) by transmitting it to other computers.

Commit

Confer a trust upon;
The messenger was entrusted with the general's secret
I commit my soul to God

Push

(obsolete) To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.

Commit

Make an investment;
Put money into bonds

Push

To burst out of its pot, as a bud or shoot.

Push

(snooker) To strike the cue ball in such a way that it stays in contact with the cue and object ball at the same time (a foul shot).

Push

A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.
Give the door a hard push if it sticks.

Push

An act of tensing the muscles of the abdomen in order to expel its contents.
One more push and the baby will be out.

Push

A great effort (to do something).
Some details got lost in the push to get the project done.
Let's give one last push on our advertising campaign.

Push

An attempt to persuade someone into a particular course of action.

Push

(military) A marching or drill maneuver/manoeuvre performed by moving a formation (especially a company front) forward or toward the audience, usually to accompany a dramatic climax or crescendo in the music.

Push

A wager that results in no loss or gain for the bettor as a result of a tie or even score

Push

(computing) The addition of a data item to the top of a stack.

Push

The situation where a server sends data to a client without waiting for a request.
Server push; a push technology

Push

A particular crowd or throng or people.

Push

(snooker) A foul shot in which the cue ball is in contact with the cue and the object ball at the same time

Push

A pustule; a pimple.

Push

A pustule; a pimple.

Push

A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing.

Push

Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.

Push

An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.
Exact reformation is not perfected at the first push.
When it comes to the push, 'tis no more than talk.

Push

The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push, or he has no push.

Push

A crowd; a company or clique of associates; a gang.

Push

To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; - opposed to draw.
Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat.

Push

To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, . . . the ox shall be stoned.

Push

To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far.
Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt to procure honor to the actor.
We are pushed for an answer.

Push

To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.

Push

To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.

Push

To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword.

Push

To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed.
At the time of the end shall the kind of the south push at him and the king of the north shall come against him.
War seemed asleep for nine long years; at lengthBoth sides resolved to push, we tried our strength.

Push

To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.
The rider pushed on at a rapid pace.

Push

The act of applying force in order to move something away;
He gave the door a hard push
The pushing is good exercise

Push

The force used in pushing;
The push of the water on the walls of the tank
The thrust of the jet engines

Push

Enterprising or ambitious drive;
Europeans often laugh at American energy

Push

An electrical switch operated by pressing a button;
The elevator was operated by push buttons
The push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk

Push

An effort to advance;
The army made a push toward the sea

Push

Move with force,
He pushed the table into a corner

Push

Press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action;
He pushed her to finish her doctorate

Push

Make publicity for; try to sell (a product);
The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model
The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops

Push

Strive and make an effort to reach a goal;
She tugged for years to make a decent living
We have to push a little to make the deadline!
She is driving away at her doctoral thesis

Push

Press against forcefully without being able to move;
She pushed against the wall with all her strength

Push

Approach a certain age or speed;
She is pushing fifty

Push

Exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for;
The liberal party pushed for reforms
She is crusading for women's rights
The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate

Push

Sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs);
The guy hanging around the school is pushing drugs

Push

Move strenuously and with effort;
The crowd pushed forward

Push

Make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby;
`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman

Common Curiosities

What does committing do in version control?

It creates a new version of your project's state in the local repository.

What happens when you push changes?

Your commits are sent to a remote repository, updating the shared version.

Is a commit required before pushing?

Yes, you must commit changes locally before they can be pushed.

Does pushing overwrite remote changes?

Not directly; conflicts arise if local and remote branches differ significantly.

What's the difference between pushing and pulling?

Pushing sends changes to a remote repository; pulling fetches them from one.

When should I push my commits?

After ensuring your changes are complete and passing relevant tests.

Why should I commit frequently?

Frequent commits provide a detailed history, making tracking and reverting easier.

Can I push without committing?

No, commits provide the changes that get sent during a push.

How do commits relate to branches?

Branches organize commits, helping manage features or versions separately.

Can others see my local commits before I push them?

No, they remain private until shared via push.

How can I check the status before pushing?

Use commands like git status to verify which changes are staged or need attention.

Does a push include uncommitted changes?

No, only committed changes are included in a push.

Do commits have unique identifiers?

Yes, each commit has a unique hash identifying it within the repository.

What happens if I push conflicting changes?

Conflicts may require manual resolution if your changes differ from others'.

Is it safe to push changes frequently?

Generally, yes, but it's best to follow the project's contribution guidelines.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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