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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 diff command 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.

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