How do the git pull and git fetch commands differ in the process of working with a repository?

The git fetch command downloads changes from a remote repository to your local repository but does not merge them with your current branch. It only updates remote tracking branches, allowing you to review changes before integrating them.

The git pull command performs two operations in sequence: first git fetch, then git merge — meaning it downloads changes and immediately attempts to merge them into your current branch.

Example:

# Fetch changes without merging
git fetch origin

# View changes
git log HEAD..origin/main

# Merge changes manually
git merge origin/main

# Or do it in one command
git pull origin main

Thus, git fetch offers more control, while git pull provides convenience and speed.