Git & GitHub Interview Question #138
What is a hotfix branch?
Security, Team Workflows, Troubleshooting & Senior Git/GitHub Scenarios Senior Advanced
Quick Interview Answer
A hotfix branch is a short-lived branch created to address an urgent production problem. It should contain the smallest safe change needed to correct the issue and should go through appropriate review and testing even when the response is time-sensitive.
Detailed Explanation
A hotfix branch is a short-lived branch created to address an urgent production problem. It should contain the smallest safe change needed to correct the issue and should go through appropriate review and testing even when the response is time-sensitive.
After the fix is deployed, ensure the corrected change is present in every active development or release line that also needs it. The exact branching process depends on the team's workflow.
Code Example
git switch main
git pull --ff-only
git switch -c hotfix/login-redirect
# Fix and test
git add .
git commit -m "Fix production login redirect"
git push -u origin hotfix/login-redirect