← Glossary
What does "pull" mean in programming?
pull is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To fetch changes from a remote repository and merge them into the current branch. git pull is shorthand for running git fetch followed by git merge. Pull regularly to avoid large merge conflicts.
Example
"Pull the latest changes before you start working to avoid conflicts."
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| pull | verb (infinitive) | To fetch and merge remote changes into the current branch | "Pull the latest changes before you start coding." |
| pulled | past tense | Already fetched and merged remote changes | "I pulled the changes and ran the tests." |
| pulling | gerund | In the process of fetching and merging remote changes | "Pulling takes longer when there are many new commits." |
Related terms
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