What is the difference between git checkout/switch [branch] and git checkout [commit-hash]?

Question

Do git checkout/switch [branch] and git checkout [commit-hash] have different functions? How do you know which one to use and what are their functions?

Answer 1

git checkout or git switch [branch] moves you to the latest commit of the specified branch, allowing you to continue working on it. git checkout [commit-hash] checks out a specific commit, so that you are in a "detached HEAD" state where you're not on any branch. I think the detached Head state is only used to see or inspect you previous commits but anything you change here wont be saved

Answer 2

I think it is just git checkout or git switch... and not actually any syntax of git checkout/switch. I believe they function basically the same (at least for our purposes).

Answer 3

git checkout [branch] or git switch [branch] moves to a specific branch, making it the active branch for new commits.
git checkout [commit-hash] checks out a specific commit in a detached HEAD state, allowing you to view or work on that commit without affecting branches.
Use switch for branches as it's more explicit and avoids detached HEAD confusion.