What method can be used to combine multiple commits into one in GitLab?

Combining multiple commits into one is a process known as squashing. This technique is useful when you want to create a cleaner commit history by merging several changes into a single, cohesive commit. By squashing, you can effectively consolidate work done in multiple commits, making it easier for others reviewing the history to understand the significant changes made.

Squashing is typically performed using Git's rebase command. When you use the interactive rebase feature (git rebase -i), it allows you to choose which commits to squash into the previous commit, enabling you to rewrite the commit history.

This approach is particularly advantageous when you want to simplify the commit log before merging a feature branch into the main branch in GitLab. It helps in maintaining a tidy history that reflects the project’s evolution more clearly and allows for easier code reviews.

In contrast, pushing changes directly would not combine commits but rather upload them to the remote repository as they are. Forking the repository refers to creating a copy of the repository rather than modifying commit history, and creating a new branch is a way to begin new development on a separate line of work rather than modifying existing commits. Therefore, squashing commits locally is the most effective method for the task at hand.