Which of the following describes a branch in Git?

Which of the following describes a branch in Git?
A . A pointer to an identical snapshot of the project at a specific point in time
B . A physical copy of the entire project stored on disk
C . A separate, isolated copy of the project’s codebase
D . A new repository that shares code with the original "upstream" repository

Answer: C

Explanation:

In Git, a branch is a fundamental concept that represents an independent line of development within a project. Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Branch in Git:

Option C is correct because a branch in Git is essentially a separate, isolated copy of the project’s codebase where you can make changes without affecting the main codebase. Branches allow developers to work on features, fixes, or experiments in parallel to the main project.

Other Options:

Option A is incorrect because while a branch does point to a specific commit (which represents a snapshot of the project), the description lacks the emphasis on the isolated and parallel development aspect that is critical to the understanding of branches.

Option B is incorrect because a branch is not a physical copy stored on disk; it is a logical reference within the repository.

Option D is incorrect because that description better fits the concept of a fork, not a branch. A fork is a new repository that is a copy of another repository, usually used to contribute back to the original ("upstream") repository.

Reference: Git Documentation: Branches in a Nutshell

GitHub Docs: Understanding the GitHub Flow