Git Basics

What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system that allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously without interfering with each other. It tracks changes in source code during software development.

Key Concepts:

• Version Control: Keeps track of changes to files over time.
• Repository: A directory that stores your project files and the history of changes.
• Commit: A snapshot of your files at a specific point in time.

Installation

To install Git, follow the instructions for your operating system:

1. Download the Git installer from git-scm.com.
2. Run the installer and follow the setup instructions.
3. Verify the installation by running git --version in your terminal.

Basic Commands

Here are some fundamental Git commands:

git init         # Initializes a new Git repository
git clone   # Clones an existing repository
git add    # Stages a file for commit
git commit -m "message"  # Commits staged changes
git status       # Shows the status of the working directory
git log          # Displays commit history
            

Branching

Branches are used to develop features isolated from each other. Here's how to manage branches:

git branch           # Lists all branches
git branch     # Creates a new branch
git checkout   # Switches to a branch
git merge      # Merges a branch into the current branch
            

Use branches to keep your main codebase clean while experimenting with new features.

Best Practices

• Commit frequently with clear messages.
• Use branches for new features and bug fixes.
• Keep your commit history clean and organized.
• Regularly pull changes from the main repository to avoid conflicts.

FAQ

Git Workflow Flowchart

graph TD;
    A[Start] --> B{Changes Made?};
    B -- Yes --> C[Add Changes];
    C --> D[Commit Changes];
    D --> E{On a Branch?};
    E -- Yes --> F[Merge Changes];
    F --> G[Push to Remote];
    E -- No --> H[Create Branch];
    H --> F;
    B -- No --> I[End];