Git Tutorial For Dummies

Step-by-Step Git Tutorial for Beginners

1. Understanding Git and its Importance

• Git is a software installed on your computer that helps you manage and save your code progress.
• If you have a Mac or Linux, Git is likely already installed. For Windows, download Git Bash from the website.
• Knowing Git is essential for successful programming as it acts as a memory card for your code progress.

2. Initializing Git in Your Project

• Open your project folder in the command line.
• Initialize Git in your project by typing git init.
• This step is like putting a memory card into your game system to start saving your progress.

3. Saving Your Progress with Git

• Use git add . to save all changes in your project or specify a file with git add filename.
• After adding changes, commit them with a message using git commit -m "Your message".

4. Viewing and Reverting Changes

• Check your saved progress and commit history using git log.
• Use the commit hash code to revert back to a previous save using git checkout hashcode.

5. Introduction to GitHub

• GitHub is a website where you can store your Git repositories online for collaboration and sharing.
• Create a GitHub profile and a repository (folder) to upload your code to the website.

6. Pushing Code to GitHub

• Link your local Git repository to your GitHub repository using git remote add origin repositoryURL.
• Push your commits to GitHub using git push origin master.

7. Working with Branches

• Create a new branch using git checkout -b branchname.
• Make changes in the new branch, commit them, and then merge them back to the master branch using git merge branchname.

8. Syncing Local and Remote Repositories

• Pull changes from GitHub to your local repository using git pull origin master.
• This ensures that your local and remote repositories are in sync.

9. Additional Tips on GitHub Usage

• GitHub green squares represent daily code contributions.
• Some users aim for green squares as a form of recognition but focus on making impactful contributions instead.

10. Conclusion

• Git is essential for code management and collaboration.
• Practice using Git commands, understanding branches, and utilizing GitHub for sharing your projects.

By following these steps, you can start using Git effectively for managing your code projects and collaborating with others. Remember to practice regularly and explore advanced features like rebasing to enhance your Git skills further.