A Beginner’s Guide to Git Bash, GitHub, and Version Control

Introduction

As a beginner in data science and data analytics, learning how to manage and track code is an important skill. Git and GitHub are tools that help developers and analysts keep track of changes in their projects and collaborate efficiently.

In this article, I'll break down what Git, GitHub, and Git Bash actually are in simple terms, and walk you through the basics like pushing and pulling code, tracking your changes, and understanding on version control.

What is Version Control?

Version control is a system that helps you keep a history of changes made to files over time. Instead of saving multiple copies of the same file, version control allows you to track edits, go back to previous versions, and see what changed and when. This comes in handy when working on projects or collaborating with others.

What is Git?

Git is a version control system that helps track changes in your code or files. It allows you to save different versions of a project, undo mistakes, and work on projects safely without losing progress.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is an online platform that hosts Git repositories. It allows users to store their projects in the cloud, collaborate with others, and access their code from anywhere.

What is Git Bash?

Git Bash is a command-line tool for Windows that allows users to run Git commands using a terminal. It helps users to manage files, track changes and connect to GitHub.

Linking Git Bash to GitHub

After installing Git Bash, you can connect it to your GitHub account by configuring your username and email and authenticating your account. This connection allows you to push local code to GitHub and pull updates from remote repositories.

Basic Git Commands for Beginners

• mkdir (folder name)This command creates a new folder.
• touch (file name)This command creates a new file.
• git initThis command sets up a new Git repository in your project folder.
• git add .This adds files to the staging area, preparing them to be committed.
• git commitThis saves your changes with a message describing what was done.
• git statusThis command shows the current state of your files and displays any changes made.
• git push origin mainThis command uploads your local commits to a GitHub repository.
• git pullThis command fetches and updates your local project with changes from GitHub.

How Git tracks changes

Git keeps track of changes in three basic steps:

1. Modified – files that have been changed but not saved.
2. Staged – files ready to be committed.
3. Committed – files safely stored in Git history.

These help users manage changes in an organized way.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Forgetting to run git add before committing
• Not writing clear commit messages
• Trying to push without connecting to a remote repository These mistakes are normal when starting out and improve with practice.

Conclusion

Git, GitHub, and Git Bash are essential tools for beginners in tech fields such as data science and data analytics. Understanding how to track changes, push code, and pull updates makes project management easier and more reliable. With regular practice, these tools become an important part of any developer’s workflow.