Git for Beginners: Basics and Essential Commands

❗ Why GIT is present?

Easy & remove tough work for developer as managing & check track from into development process.

Git as Distributed Version Control System

Every developer has a need full copy of the project with history of code file what updates in that.

• GIT node dependent on one single central server

• Also able to work offline & later sync with others

GIT —> has user control with collaboration power

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What is GIT?

Git is a —> Version Control System

Git is a tool that helps you to track changes in your code and manage versions safely.

• GIT—> time machine for your project code

• History Tracker

• Backup system with memory

In GIT each commit has saved info as:

• What will be changed?

• Who that changed it?

• Which time to change it?

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Why Git is Used?

GIT concept can easily solve real developer problem -

• GIT almost used every software company in modern world.

• Git tracking files are also store in local storage.

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GIT Basics and Core Terminologies

Repository (Repo)

Repo —> is your project folder that git tracks & for storing,

• Files, History, Versions

Initialize git -

git init

GIT can created a hidden .git/ folder (without start tracking).

Commit

Commit —> snapshot of your project.

It includes - Author, Timestamp, Message, previous commit

Example - A commit is like checkpoint in a game

git commit -m "Added homepage with html & css code file"

Branch

Branch —> a separate line of work.

It used for - New features, Testing to fixes bugs

Example - Default branch —> main

HEAD

HEAD —> pointer to latest commit of current branch.

Head shows where you are currently in history.

Git Workflow -

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Common Git Commands

Simple project in VS Code & workflow of that -

• Create project —> Start Git —> Make changes —> Save versions —> View history

Create project & initiate that -

• create folder my-project on computer & open with vscode

• create my-project/index.html

In terminal of vs code -

Initialize Git

git init

Git is now activate for tracking.

Hidden .git folder is automatically created

• git init —> Initialized empty git repository

Git → will now start to track project.

Local Repository Structure -

my-project
│
├── .git
├── index.html

.git folder its brain of our GIT —> Never delete it.

Check Git Status

git status

git status —> Check status of git

U - Untracked files —> “index.html” you will see the file but its not tracking it yet.

Add file to Staging Area

git add index.html

git add <file_name> —> single file add for staging area

- - OR- -

git add .

git add . —> all files add for staging area

git add <file_name> OR git add . —> file is ready to be saved.

Make first Commit

Commit same as a save point in game like checkpoint.

git commit -m "Inital project heading"

git commit -m “<message>“ —> that process of save through meaningful message

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Make a Changes -

• Through checking status see all info about that project

• Edit index.html & check status

M - Modified files => “index.html” you will see commit again, it’s our new version that saved.

View History

git log

• git log —> remember that all activates

GIT —> can remembers every version.

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Conclusion

Git Workflow -

1] Initialize Git —> git init —> creates .git/ folder

2] Check status —> git status —> changed, staged, untracked files

3] Add files —> git add . —> staging area

• Git, remember this change & file moves to staging area.

• Example - git add file.txt

4] Commit —> save this snapshot.

• Example - git commit -m "Added login feature"

5] log —> git log —> shows commit history