In web development, uploading your project to a live server is a common task. While many hosting platforms work well with Git, some developers still use FTP (File Transfer Protocol), especially when working with older systems or shared hosting. That’s where git-ftp helps, acting as a bridge between your Git project and your FTP server.

What is git-ftp?

git-ftp is a tool that makes it easier to upload your Git project to an FTP server. Instead of uploading all your files every time, git-ftp only sends the ones you’ve changed. This saves both time and internet data by skipping unchanged files.

How the .git-ftp.log File Works

The .git-ftp.log file is what makes git-ftp so efficient. It’s stored on your FTP server and keeps track of the last version (or “commit”) you uploaded. When you run git ftp push, the tool checks the log file, finds the changes, and uploads only the updated files.

Important Commands

  • git ftp init: Sets up your project for the first time and uploads all files.
  • git ftp push: Uploads only the files that changed since the last deployment.
  • git ftp pull: Downloads changes from the server that aren’t in your local Git.
  • git ftp catchup: Updates the log file without transferring files.

Why Use git-ftp?

  • Saves Time: Only changed files are uploaded.
  • Git-Friendly: Works smoothly with Git.
  • Simple Setup: Just add your FTP server info and start.
  • Rollback: You can easily go back to a previous version if needed.

Example of How It Works

  1. Install git-ftp on your system (like WSL).
  2. Add your FTP server details to git-ftp.
  3. Run git ftp init to upload your project for the first time.
  4. Make changes, commit them in Git.
  5. Run git ftp push to upload the changes.

Conclusion

git-ftp is a handy tool for developers who use both Git and FTP. It simplifies the process and makes uploading changes faster. If you use Git and need to upload files to an FTP server, try git-ftp to make your life easier!