Table of contents
- What is Git?
- What is GitHub?
- Why Use Git and GitHub?
- Basic Git Commands
- Install Git
- Check if Git is Installed
- Set Up Your Identity
- Initialize a Git Repository
- Check the Status of Your Files
- Add Files to Git
- Commit Your Changes
- View Commit History
- Connect to GitHub
- Push Your Code to GitHub
- Pull Latest Changes from GitHub
- Create and Switch to a New Branch
- Merge Branches
- Clone an Existing Repository
- Final Thoughts
If you’re getting started with coding, you might have heard about Git and GitHub. They sound similar, but they are different! In this blog, I’ll break them down in simple terms so you can understand what they are and why they are essential for developers.
What is Git?
Imagine you're writing a book. You save different versions of your draft, so if you make a mistake, you can always go back to an earlier version. Git works similarly but for code.
Git is a version control system. It helps developers track changes in their code, collaborate with others, and revert to previous versions if needed. The best part? Git works on your computer, and you don’t need the internet to use it.
What is GitHub?
Now, think of GitHub as Google Drive for your code. It’s an online platform where you can store your Git projects, collaborate with others, and showcase your work. GitHub is not Git, but it uses Git to manage projects.
Why Use Git and GitHub?
Here’s why developers love Git and GitHub:
Backup & Safety – If your computer crashes, your code is safe on GitHub.
Collaboration – Work with other developers on the same project without messing up each other’s code.
Tracking Changes – See who changed what and when.
Open Source Contributions – Contribute to real-world projects and improve your skills.
Basic Git Commands
Let’s look at some basic Git commands to get started.
Install Git
Windows:
Download and install Git from git-scm.com
macOS:
brew install git
Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):
sudo apt update && sudo apt install git
Check if Git is Installed
git --version
Set Up Your Identity
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your-email@example.com"
Initialize a Git Repository
git init
Check the Status of Your Files
git status
Add Files to Git
Add a specific file:
git add filename
Add all files:
git add .
Commit Your Changes
git commit -m "Your commit message"
View Commit History
git log
Connect to GitHub
Create a GitHub repository and link it with your local project:
git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/repository.git
Push Your Code to GitHub
git push -u origin main
Pull Latest Changes from GitHub
git pull origin main
Create and Switch to a New Branch
Create a new branch:
git branch new-feature
Switch to the new branch:
git checkout new-feature
Merge Branches
Switch to the main branch:
git checkout main
Merge the feature branch into main:
git merge new-feature
Clone an Existing Repository
git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git
Final Thoughts
Git and GitHub might seem overwhelming at first, but once you start using them, they become second nature. They are powerful tools that help developers work efficiently and collaborate with others. Start with the basic commands, explore GitHub, and soon, you’ll be using Git like a pro!