Introduction to Github
Collaboration and version control are important for
software development. GitHub has become an important
platform for developers, enabling seamless teamwork and
efficient project management. In this article, we’ll introduce
you to GitHub, explaining what it is, how it works, and why
it’s a must-have tool for developers.
What Is Version Control?
A system called version control, sometimes referred to as
source control or revision control, keeps track of changes
made to a file or group of files over time so that you may
retrieve particular versions at a later time. Although it can
be applied to any circumstance where several versions of
something are made and may need to be monitored and
recalled, it is most frequently employed in software
development.
What is GitHub?
GitHub is a web-based platform that uses Git, a version
control system, to help developers manage and track
changes in their code. It allows multiple people to
collaborate on a project, track revisions, and contribute to
code from anywhere in the world. GitHub offers both free
and paid plans, catering to individuals and large
organizations alike.
Key Features of GitHub
1. Version Control
GitHub’s core functionality is based on Git, which allows
you to keep track of changes in your code over time. This
means you can always revert to a previous version if
something goes wrong, compare different versions, and
understand the history of your project.
2. Repositories
A repository (or repo) is a central place where all the files
for a project are stored. Each repository can hold multiple
files and folders, and it tracks the history of every change
made. Repositories can be public (accessible to everyone)
or private (restricted access).
3. Branches
Branches are a crucial feature in GitHub that enable parallel
development. You can create a branch to work on a new
feature or fix a bug without affecting the main codebase.
Once your changes are ready, you can merge the branch
back into the main branch.
4. Pull Requests
Pull requests are a way to propose changes to a repository.
When you submit a pull request, you’re asking the project
maintainers to review and merge your changes into the
main codebase. This feature promotes collaboration and
ensures code quality through peer review.
5. Issues and Project Management
GitHub provides tools to track bugs, enhancements, and
other tasks through the Issues feature. You can create
issues, assign them to team members, and track their
progress. GitHub also offers project boards for more
advanced project management.
6. Actions and Automation
GitHub Actions allow you to automate workflows, such as
running tests or deploying code, directly from your
repository. This feature enhances productivity and ensures
consistency across development processes.
Getting Started with GitHub
1. Creating a GitHub Account
Step 1: Go to github.com and enter the required user
credentials asked on the site and then click on the SignUp
for GitHub button.
Creating a Repository
To create a new repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
Step 1: Then Click on Finish Sign Up. The account has
been created. The user is automatically redirected to your
Dashboard.
To create a new repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
1. Go to GitHub and log in.
2. Click the “+” icon in the upper right corner and select
“New repository.”
3. Enter a repository name and description.
4. Choose whether the repository will be public or
private.
5. Click “Create repository.”
How To Upload Existing Repository to GitHub
The system should have git installed in it if not install
git. Make sure to choose Run git from Windows
Command prompt option during installation. Otherwise,
open git bash in place of step 2.
Open Terminal (for Mac users) or the command prompt
(for Windows and Linux users).
Change the current working directory to your local
project
Initialize the local directory as a git repository in
different ways as described in the image.
git init
A new .git folder is created in the directory which is
by default hidden.
Add the files in your new local repository. This stages
them for the first commit.
git add .
#Adds the files in the local repository and stages them for commit.
To unstage a file, use
git reset HEAD YOUR_FILE
Commit the files that you’ve staged in your local repository.
git commit -m 'First commit'
# Commits the tracked changes and prepares them to be pushed to
a remote repository.
To remove this commit and modify the file, use
git reset --soft HEAD~1
And commit and add the file again.
At the top of the GitHub repository’s Quick Setup page,
click on the icon shown and copy the remote repository
URL.
