Muhammed Shamal PVFollow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Github.com
Introduction
Git and GitHub are essential tools for developers, enabling version control and collaboration on projects. Whether you're working solo or with a team, understanding how to use Git and GitHub is crucial for efficient development.
1. Understanding Git and GitHub
- Git: A distributed version control system that allows developers to track changes in their codebase, revert to previous stages, and collaborate with others.
- GitHub: A web-based platform that hosts Git repositories and provides tools for collaborative development, including issue tracking, pull requests, and more.
Skipping boring section 😁;
2. Setting Up Git
2.1. Installing Git
Download and install Git from the official website: git-scm.com.
2.2. Configuring Git
After installing Git, set up your username and email.
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
3. Basic Git Commands
3.1. Initializing a Repository
Create a new Git repository in your project directory.
git init
3.2. Cloning a Repository
Clone an existing repository from GitHub.
git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git
3.3. Checking Status
Check the status of your files in the working directory.
To know what changes currently ?
git status
3.4. Adding Changes
Stage changes for the next commit.
Adding the changes;
git add .
3.5. Committing Changes
Commit the staged changes with a descriptive message.
keep in mind always give a good understanding messages;
git commit -m "Your commit message"
3.6. Viewing Commit History
View the commit history of the repository.
git log
3.7. Pushing Changes
Push your commits to a remote repository (e.g., GitHub).
git push origin main
3.8. Pulling Changes
Fetch and merge changes from a remote repository.
git pull origin main
3.9. Creating and Switching Branches
Create a new branch and switch to it.
git checkout -b new-branch
Switch back to the main branch.
git checkout main
4. Using Git in VS Code
VS Code has built-in Git support, making it easy to manage version control directly from the editor.
4.1. Initializing a Repository
Open your project in VS Code, then click the Source Control icon in the sidebar and click "Initialize Repository."
4.2. Staging and Committing Changes
Use the Source Control panel to stage changes by clicking the "+" icon next to the files. Enter a commit message in the message box and click the checkmark icon to commit.
4.3. Pushing Changes
Click the ellipsis (...) in the Source Control panel, then click "Push" to push your commits to the remote repository.
4.4. Pulling Changes
Click the ellipsis (...) and select "Pull" to fetch and merge changes from the remote repository.
4.5. Branch Management
Click the current branch name in the status bar at the bottom-left corner to view, create, or switch branches.
5. Version Control Best Practices
- Commit Often: Make small, frequent commits with clear messages describing the changes.
- Use Branches: Develop new features or fix bugs in separate branches to keep the main branch stable.
- Pull Regularly: Pull changes from the remote repository regularly to stay up-to-date with the team's work.
-
Review Changes: Use the
git diffcommand to review changes before committing.
Conclusion
Git and GitHub are powerful tools for version control and collaboration in software development. By mastering the basic commands and integrating Git into your workflow with VS Code, you can manage your projects more effectively and collaborate seamlessly with others. As you gain more experience, explore advanced Git features and workflows to further enhance your development process.
Example Repository
Check out this GitHub.Learn to see a basic project structure and the use of Git commands in practice.
