Git is a version control tool that any developer would benefit from learning. Using git allows you to save your code as you make changes, and you can see what changes have been made over time. When working with other developers, knowing git makes it easy to collaborate on projects. This includes open-source and side projects as well as when you are working on a dev team.
Over the years, I've had practice using Git. I feel pretty good with the basics such as setting up new projects on GitHub, creating branches, resolving conflicts, and contributing to open source or other team projects. I tend to stick to the git commands most familiar to me without trying new concepts, so I'm ready to step things up.
What's your git level?
Knowing your git level of knowledge is the first step to improve your skills. Samuel Faure wrote How to Learn Git Slowly where he outlines six levels of knowledge. Refer to Samuel's guide as it can serve as a roadmap for your git level-up strategy.
Here are some ideas and free git resources to help you boost your git know-how:
E-Books
E-books can serve as resources you come back to whenever you want to review a concept or look something up.
The Pro Git book, written by Scott Chacon and Ben Straub, is a good resource for a variety of git concepts.
Get step-by-step guidance with the Introduction to Git and Github e-book created by Bobby Iliev.
Git Cheat Sheets
Keep git cheat sheets handy as you work. You might also want to create one of your own.
This Simple Guide to Git gives you the most common commands you need to get started.
Check your knowledge by going through these 50 Git Commands You Should Know
Git Courses
Dedicate some time to complete a git course and keep applying your knowledge through the course material or with your side projects. Check out these courses which vary in length depending on how you want to structure your learning.
The Ultimate Git 5-Day Challenge from Udemy by Brian Gorman is great for those who are new to git and want to get a step-by-step overview of getting setup with git on Github or Bitbucket.
The Gymnasium has an Introduction to Git and GitHub course by Jeff Ausura that you can complete in about an hour or less.
If you have a block of hours to spare, check out Git: Become an Expert in Git & GitHub in 4 Hours from Udemy by Jad Khalili to get intensive git training in a short amount of time.
Version Control with Git through Coursera offered by Atlassian is a 4-week course that takes you through creating a repository, creating branches, merging, workflows, and more.
If you are new to the open source world, learn How to Contribute to an Open Source project on GitHub with Kent C. Dodds.
Observe various git commands in action with the Practical Git For Everyday Professional Use course taught by Trevor Miller.
Interactive Resources
One of the best ways to learn something is to practice it, so give these two resources a try.
With Git Immersion, you'll complete short challenges on your local computer as you learn basic git commands.
Learning Git Branching guides you through visuals as you use git commands and create branches.
Pair program with others
If you have a mentor or work with a team of developers, take some time to pair program. Not only will you improve your coding skills, you'll have a chance to see the other developer's techniques with git. To them, their methods might come naturally so they may not think what they are doing is anything special.
Watch developer live streams or tutorials
You typically watch a live coding session for the actual content, but there is also another layer of learning by noticing how the developer works with git and uses various commands and shortcuts.
Conclusion
When you understand git, you find this common ground among many kinds of developers who also use git. Taking the time to practice git and dive deeper into the various levels of knowledge will help you become a better developer and teammate. Being well-versed with git could help you stand out when applying for jobs and well as making you better prepared when being onboarded to a new company or team.
What's your git story? Are you new or a pro with git? Any helpful tips you can share?
Photo courtesy of Lagos Techie on Unsplash
Oldest comments (20)
I’ll add git course at codewithmosh.com
That's a great idea, Mike! I've checked out some of Mosh's tutorials and he's a good instructor. Best wishes to you :)
It's 100% unnecessary to use Git on the command line. I'm a senior dev and much prefer a GUI client (I thoroughly recommend GitKraken)
I use GitKraken when I help maintain an open source project. With so many branches and pull requests, it helps me keep track of what is going on at any given time. And I love the visual aspect of it. What is your #1 piece of advice for those who are new to git?
This statement can be done the other way around too: It's 100% unnecessary to use Git in a GUI. I am a senior dev and rarely use Git outside of the command line. it is all preference.
Good point, Dan!
Very true, but the article and others like it seem to imply that learning to use it on the command line is absolutely essential. It isn't
It depends on what you do. I find myself in many different environments frequently. I learned CLI because it would take too long, or I am not allowed to install preferred tools. CLI, just like vi, tends to be everywhere. if you always develop in the same machine, then OK, I agree.
You don't need to use a CLI tool to take advantage of the value git brings, but if one is to download and install git, they are installing the git binary which IS a command line tool. At GitHub we tend to recommend the CLI, but if folks feel good using a different tool to interface with Git, they should stick with it.
I'm a little bias, but lab.github.com is also a good learning resource.
I really like that you included leaning on a mentor and watching closely to how others naturally use git.
There is no shortcut for practice. If you really want to level up your git skills without wrecking a real project practice. Make a new project, git init, add a file, edit it in different ways and commit all along. Try to branch, rebase and merge as well. When your done delete it and move in with better git skills.
That's a great idea to start a new project just to practice git. Concepts like merge conflicts will happen in real work scenarios, so I feel practicing how to resolve those in an environment without stress is time well spent!
I find that faux projects don't offer the 'drive' to do enough things and its hard to make mistakes that matter!
You need to use git on a real project to develop the habits of git (make a new branch every time you are tackling a new issue, for instance).
Great article!
Thank you for the mention 🙌
Sure! I'm always happy to share great resources. :)
Alternate title: How to Git Better
Love that title!
Now there's no excuse to not level up our git knowledge with all the resources you've listed here. Already bookmarked. Thank you, Ana!
I'm so glad this post can be useful to you, Efrén!
Don’t leave out Oh Shit, Git!?!
ohshitgit.com/
It’s a great resource.
lol Good one!