DEV Community: Anu Sharma

10 Git Commands to get you started with Open source

Anu Sharma — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:23:18 +0000

Git is an important part of daily programming (especially if you're working with a team) and is widely used in the software industry.

Since there are many various commands you can use, mastering Git takes time. But some commands are used more frequently (some daily).

1. Git Clone

Git clone is a command for downloading existing source code from a remote repository (like Github, for example). In other words, Git clone basically makes an identical copy of the latest version of a project in a repository and saves it to your computer. One of the ways is the clone with https way:

git clone <https://github.com/Anu-MADMAX/Visualizing-Covid-19.git>

This will make a copy of the project to your local workspace so you can start working with it.

2. Git Branch

Branches are highly important in the git world. By using branches, several developers are able to work in parallel on the same project simultaneously. We can use the git branch command for creating, listing and deleting branches.

Creating a new branch:

git branch <branch-name>

This command will create a branch locally. To push the new branch into the remote repository, you need to use the following command:

git push -u <remote-branch-name> <branch-name>

Viewing Branches:

git branch OR git branch --list

Deleting a branch:

git branch -d <branch-name>

3.Git Checkout

This is also one of the most used Git commands. To work in a branch, first you need to switch to it. We use git checkout mostly for switching from one branch to another. We can also use it for checking out files and commits.

git checkout <branch-name>

The shortcut command that allows you to create and switch to a branch at the same time is:

git checkout -b <branch-name>

This command creates a new branch in your local (-b stands for branch) and checks the branch out to the new one right after it has been created.

4.Git Status

The Git status command gives us all the necessary information about the current branch.

git status

We can gather information like:

If the current branch is up to date
If there is anything to commit, push or pull
If there are files staged, unstaged or untracked
If there are files created, modified or deleted

5.Git Add

When we create, modify or delete a file, these changes will happen in our local and won't be included in the next commit (unless we change the configurations).

We need to use the git add command to include the changes of a file(s) into our next commit.

To add a single file:

git add <file-name>

To add everything at once:

git add -A

When you visit the screenshot above in the 4th section, you will see that there are file names that are red - this means that they're unstaged files. The unstaged files won't be included in your commits.

To include them, we need to use git add.
Important: The git add command doesn't change the repository and the changes are not saved until we use git commit.

6.Git Commit

This is maybe the most-used command of Git. Once we reach a certain point in development, we want to save our changes (maybe after a specific task or issue).

Git commit is like setting a checkpoint in the development process which you can go back to later if needed.

We also need to write a short message to explain what we have developed or changed in the source code.

git commit -m "Type in your message here"

Important: Git commit saves your changes only locally.

7.Git Push

After committing your changes, the next thing you want to do is send your changes to the remote server. Git push uploads your commits to the remote repository.

git push <remote> <branch-name>

However, if your branch is newly created, then you also need to upload the branch with the following command:

git push --set-upstream <remote> <branch-name>

git push -u origin <remote> <branch-name>

Important: Git push only uploads changes that are committed.

8.Git Pull

The git pull command is used to get updates from the remote repo. This command is a combination of git fetch and git merge which means that, when we use git pull, it gets the updates from remote repository (git fetch) and immediately applies the latest changes in your local (git merge).

git pull <remote>

This command may cause conflicts that you need to resolve manually.

9.Git Revert

Sometimes we need to undo the changes that we've made. There are various ways to undo our changes locally or remotely (depends on what we need), but we must carefully use these commands to avoid unwanted deletions.

A safer way that we can undo our commits is by using git revert. To see our commit history, first we need to use git log -- oneline

Then we just need to specify the hash code next to our commit that we would like to undo:

git revert <hash-code>

After this, you will see a screen - just press shift + q(Q) to exit.
The Git revert command will undo the given commit, but will create a new commit without deleting the older one.

The advantage of using git revert is that it doesn't touch the commit history. This means that you can still see all of the commits in your history, even the reverted ones.

Another safety measure here is that everything happens in our local system unless we push them to the remote repo. That's why git revert is safer to use and is the preferred way to undo our commits.

10.Git Merge

When you've completed development in your branch and everything works fine, the final step is merging the branch with the parent branch (dev or master). This is done with the git merge command.

Git merge basically integrates your feature branch with all of its commits back to the dev (or master) branch. It's important to remember that you first need to be on the specific branch that you want to merge with your feature branch.

For example, when you want to merge your feature branch into the dev branch:

First you should switch to the dev branch:

git checkout dev
Before merging, you should update your local dev branch:

git fetch
Finally, you can merge your feature branch into dev:

git merge <branch-name>

Hint: Make sure your dev branch has the latest version before you merge your branches, otherwise you may face conflicts or other unwanted problems.

Anddd, YOU DID IT! 👏

So these are my 10 most-used git commands that I come across in my daily programming. Of course, there's a lot more to git than just these commands, so feel free to explore them and learn more!

Follow me for more such blogs! ⭐

How I went from a noob to a Hackathon Winner

Anu Sharma — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:32:56 +0000

To be frank, learning a new language is no easy feat and is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. For someone with no prior experience in programming or computing, learning a whole language might seem like an impossible task. However, with all things alike, nothing is quite impossible unless you think it is. Here, I share with you some of my tips to learn not one but four different programming languages in six months.

Have a Goal in mind

Learning without a goal is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Without a motivating goal, you will easily lose track of why you are learning the language in the first place. You won't have an idea about where to apply the language and the attempt would end up in failure. Without any use cases, I also did not manage to learn past the syntax of those languages.
However, things were different for me when I started learning Java. Learning java is part of my plan of to master data structures and algorithms and possibly crack some coding interviews. Hence, I am not learning just for the sake of learning. I need a working knowledge of Java to work on some complex problems, require understanding an array of libraries to start on my projects. I have a bigger purpose to learn Java.
Setting an initial goal is getting the job half done. Find an application for the language you are learning and you will be one step closer to mastering it.

Resources

There is no lack of resources online. My only advice is not to rely solely on one. Make use of the vast variety of resources available that utilised different mode of delivery to enhance your learning experience. Here are some of the resources I used to learn Java:

1.Udemy

Complete Java Bootcamp and Java for beginners covered the basics of java programming and data structures essential for competitive programming. These courses come in the form of video lectures with assignments.

2. GeeksForGeeks

With a wide number of questions to practice and improve your analytical skills, GeeksForGeeks is your go-to website. They provide an interactive environment for you to practice as you go, allowing concepts to stick and familiarize yourself with coding.. A programming language is similar to natural language, practice and practice is the only way to learn.

3. JavaTpoint

This website provides in-depth knowledge of all the important java concepts an. These assignments are well thought of and require learners to code basic algorithms which serve as a great exercise for logical thinking.

4. Blogs

There is no lack of blogs providing recommendation or advice on the resources to learn a programming language. One such blog I encountered recently was across the CodeCamp website where they actively push out contents that help beginners to get started in their programming journey. They also present it in a clear and concise manner, providing their reviews and recommendation in an objective way. Depending on your preferences, you might prefer some over others. Look around and see which blogs suit your learning style.

5. Projects

You would not know how much you know unless you apply what you learned. Project is a great way to assess your knowledge and definitely a great addition for your resume. Work on a project that interests you and you might just learn much more than going through courses. Practical application is always the best approach to learning a technical skill.
As an example, I myself worked on creating a machine learning model to boost the self esteem of the user. I spent a whole month coding every day, googling and getting hang of the new found concept. I strongly believed that this has contributed much more to my mastery in machine learning than any courses I took. You can read more about the project here .

6. GitHub

Having a GitHub profile is a must if you plan to move into the tech space. You can find helpful sample/starting codes for all kind of application that you want to build and even contribute to interesting projects. So what does GitHub got to do with learning programming? Almost everything. Programmers learn from looking at other's codes and GitHub is just a great repository of codes in one place. There are a few ways you can learn coding from GitHub:

Learn from others and apply the learning to your application
Develop your own package for others and get feedback
Contribute to existing projects That's how I was able to learn four different programming languages in just six months. You can certainly do it too, let me know how it goes in the comment section.

To have another language is to possess a second soul – Charlemagne.

Are JavaScript and Java same?

Anu Sharma — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:04:30 +0000

Well, not exactly.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a cross-platform, object-oriented scripting language used to make interactive webpages that includes complex animations, clickable buttons, popup menus. There are also more advanced server-side versions of JavaScript such as Node.js, which allow you to add more functionality to a website.
JavaScript was invented by Brendan Eich in 1995 and became an ECMA standard in 1997. ECMA-262 is the official name of the standard. ECMAScript is the official name of the language.
JavaScript contains a standard library of objects, such as Array, Date, and Math, and a core set of language elements such as operators, control structures, and statements. Core JavaScript can be extended for a variety of purposes by supplementing it with additional objects, for example:
Client-side JavaScript extends the core language by supplying objects to control a browser and its Document Object Model (DOM). For example, client-side extensions allow an application to place elements on an HTML form and respond to user events such as mouse clicks, form input, and page navigation.
Server-side JavaScript extends the core language by supplying objects relevant to running JavaScript on a server. For example, server-side extensions allow an application to communicate with a database, provide continuity of information from one invocation to another of the application, or perform file manipulations on a server.

JavaScript and Java:

JavaScript and Java are fundamentally different in some aspects. The JavaScript language resembles Java but does not have Java's static typing and strong type checking. JavaScript follows most Java expression syntax, naming conventions and basic control-flow constructs.

JavaScript is a very free-form language compared to Java. You do not have to declare all variables, classes, and methods. You do not have to be concerned with whether methods are public, private, or protected, and you do not have to implement interfaces. Variables, parameters, and function return types are not explicitly typed.

In Java, Objects are divided into classes and instances with all inheritance through the class hierarchy. Classes and instances cannot have properties or methods added dynamically. In JavaScript, No distinction between types of objects. Inheritance is through the prototype mechanism, and properties and methods can be added to any object dynamically.

Why is JavaScript so important?

Let’s see why JavaScript is so crucial in today’s development community—and why you should probably sharpen your JS knowledge.

Modern JavaScript works on both browsers AND servers. For developers, JS is easy to learn and fast to get into active development. Its syntax is easy and flexible for newcomers.
JS developers can use Node.js to write both client-side and server-side code in JavaScript, without relying on external web servers. js was the first legitimate attempt to bring JavaScript to the server-side.
We can use JavaScript to connect to mobile APIs. This means that you can use mobile devices features, such as the camera or location to build JS-powered apps.
JavaScript is present on Front end (Browsers), Back end (Node), Desktop, Android/iOS (React Native, NativeScript etc.), Hybrid (Ionic)
JavaScript is insanely popular. You’ll definitely find the solution to any problem within the community.
Test automation frameworks implemented using JavaScript, NodeJS are more robust, scalable and easy to maintain.

Why learn JavaScript?

Many languages came and disappear but JavaScript is one of those few renowned languages that is enjoying a high run and demand in the programming world. JavaScript is the most popular language among developers for the eighth year in a row. JavaScript is essential to front-end web development. A majority of the web’s most popular sites, from Facebook and Twitter to Gmail and YouTube, rely on JavaScript to create interactive web pages and dynamically display content to users.

Although JavaScript is primarily a front-end language run on the browser, it can also be used on the server-side through Node.js to build scalable network applications. Node.js is compatible with Linux, SunOS, Mac OS X, and Windows.

Because JavaScript has a forgiving, flexible syntax and works across all major browsers, it is one of the friendliest programming languages for beginners.

There are millions of websites on the web which are heavily rely on JavaScript and in addition to that, looking at the demand & dominance of the language, it won’t be wrong to say that JavaScript will rule in 2021 as well!

Keep LEARNING. Keep CODING.

The most difficult things about learning to code by yourself — and how to tackle them

Anu Sharma — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 05:23:37 +0000

Many people have become interested in learning to code in recent years.

They either find their way into programming through online courses, or through offline meet ups, or are just simply trying to give it a shot.

Websites like code.org, codecademy and freeCodeCamp are becoming more and more popular. There are a huge number of coding courses out on the web, and also available on YouTube.
But coding isn’t easy. Here are some of the challenges we all face when learning to code.

1. Finding the “right” amount of time to code everyday.

If you are learning to code by yourself, chances are you have other responsibilities in life.
You could have a part time job, or a full time job, or you can be a stay at home parent. The point is, everyone is busy in this life. So how do you find the time to code everyday?
Some people may say: “Well, if you are dedicated enough, you can always find time.” True. I agree with that.
So then the question becomes: “How much time should you dedicate everyday to code? If I can only get half an hour per day, does that still count?”

This is the question only you yourself can answer. It is very hard to estimate how many hours you should code each day. Some people suggest to keep it short and sweet. 15 minutes is good enough.
On the other side of the spectrum, I’ve also heard people got into the development field within a year or so by coding 9 or 10 hours a day. If you want some motivation you can give that thread a look.

The bottom line is this: only you yourself know how much you can code everyday, and making it a habit of doing it, without getting burnt out. The last part is really important. freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson once said on his twitter feed:
“It is not about your daily progress, it is about progress daily.”

It is not gonna be the golden standard, but it will give you an idea about how to set yourself a realistic, and most importantly, sustainable plan when it comes to learning to code everyday.

2. Finding the balance between “not making a good enough progress” and “getting burnt out.”

For me personally, I struggled with this a lot.
There are days I just could not understand a single concept/code snippet from the book I was reading. It just wasn’t sinking into my brain. I would get burnt out so bad that I’d have to calm myself down, go to the balcony, and take a deep breath.
From that point onwards I would keep reminding myself not to overwork it to the point that there was no coming back.
Programming is not easy. It requires you to concentrate, especially when you are learning new stuff. It is mentally taxing, and there are times that you can’t figure it out — why your code didn’t work, or even why it did.

I found I was most productive whenever I was really concentrated on the problem I was working on right then, but at the same time I was really relaxed, enjoying the whole process.
This was when I:
Found an issue I needed to solve.
Found the solution through online forums.
Tried a bunch of different ways to solve it just to see which one worked.
I solved the issue altogether.
To cope with the fact that a lot of the stuff we are learning is quite mundane and complex (data structures and algorithms and such), I have developed this 50/50 rule whenever I am learning to code.
I use 50% of the time to do the difficult tasks, studying the basics, concepts, algorithms and such. The other 50% of the time I am doing my own projects, projects I am really passionate about. So that there is a balance when it comes to my day-to-day study.
So, to put it bluntly, you need to love what you do. Which leads us to the next point.

3. Loving what you do is the only way to survive all these obstacles.

As cliche as it sounds sometimes this is simply just truth. If you love the path you are taking, love the job you are doing, love the direction you are going… you don’t need acknowledgements from the outside world.
This kind of fulfillment cannot be borrowed or replaced, or even worse, faked.

4. Keep coming back to coding AFTER committing to other responsibilities in life.

The reality is that when it comes to self-learning, it is never gonna be you yourself, being there, learning.
In life we all have all kinds of responsibilities we need to commit to. You might be a husband, or a wife, or someone’s parent. You need to take care of your family, or you have a job you need to attend to. Or maybe you are a student that needs to finish your diploma or degree.
With all the duties that are lying upon us, where do we find the time to code?
The truth is, sometimes you don’t or you simply just can’t. There are days that I skipped coding. The longest “break” I took was two months.
But after that, I went back to coding immediately. And I found out that I had forgotten a lot of stuff I had learnt. It can be frustrating when you pick up the same book, and you simply don’t know how to continue. “God, do I really have to re-read all the chapters and re-do all the quests again?”
This is the moment you just have to persevere, have to grind it out.
You need to tell yourself, “Okay, this first hour of study might seem really slow and not that productive. But that’s okay, I will make it up by learning more tomorrow.”
There is no way to sugarcoat this but to keep on going, keep on keeping on. Go to a coding forum or Twitter and express your frustration. But once you’ve done that, immediately go back to coding.

5. Keep yourself motived, in any way.

Self-learning is very different to attending school. There is no one around you when you are coding. There are no classmates, there are no social interactions, you cannot find that “grand ceremony” waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. Most of the time you do it alone. And most of the time, you are alone.
So you need to find some kind of motivation to keep yourself moving forward.
I check this sub reddit all the time (r/macsetups) because a lot of people there are developers. And they are using all the same powerful hardware to create the software they wanna create. There is nothing more rewarding than that.
Also reward yourself, and make it a habit.
It could be small, or it could be big. It could be a hot shower at the end of the day, or a cold beverage. Tell yourself that you are doing a great job. It is often needed when learning to code. Hang this photo on the wall in front of you — because you got to believe one day you can be the person who is sitting in front of it.

6. Do not fall into the fallacy of “learning for the sake of learning.” Go to interviews, meet ups, and apply for jobs.

There are times we can get side-tracked when learning to code. I felt that there are moments that you just want to be lazy. Not in a way that you don’t want to learn anymore, but in a way that you secretly hope that by sitting in front of your monitor all day, you don’t have to face the real challenge: Getting a job as a developer.
Do not fall into that fallacy of thinking “I am learning so that’s good enough. I will think about jobs later, when I am ready.”
This is something I should be doing more often, to be frank. To reach out to potential clients, even if it is building website for free for families and friends.
So next time when you walk into an interview, you can show what kind of work you’ve done. It will add value to your résumé. The first step is always the hardest. But you have to do it no matter what.
All of the above are challenges/situations you are gonna face on the road to becoming a developer. Acknowledge them, face them with the right attitude — those hurdles you face can only make you stronger and better.
Last but not least, happy coding! Enjoy what you are building, whether it is your project or your own future.

Keep LEARNING. Keep CODING.

Java: One Programming Language for All

Anu Sharma — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:39:26 +0000

I often see questions like which is a first programming language to learn?, Is Java a good programming language to start with?, how good Java is as a first programming language, which is the best programming language for beginners, or shall I start with Java or Python?.

Well, the answer to all these questions is, Java is one of the most popular programming languages, and there are a lot of reasons to learn Java, starting with Job opportunities to leveraging community support.

But, in the context of beginning programming or choosing Java as the first language, my most significant reason is that it’s simpler to learn. Java is a platform neutral language, which means it is not tied to any particular hardware or operating system. It guarantees users to ‘write once, run anywhere’. Java language is supported by almost every operating system such as Sun Solaris, RedHat, Windows etc.

WHY JAVA?

According to TIOBE’s rating, Java has been ranked first among all languages in the world in the last couple of decades.
A large number of well-known companies use Java-written software to develop software and applications. So if you know Java, you definitely won’t have to fight to find a job. The main reasons for Java’s popularity are its mobility, scalability, and large user community.

How to start learning?

Schedule your lessons

and find ways to minimize distractions. You need to discipline yourself by following your schedule.

Use the rule of 20 minutes.

Before you ask for help, take at least 20 minutes to google yourself. There is a (very) high probability that the answer is already in front of you, and besides, the struggle makes you a better programmer in general.

Practice coding every day.

Practicing helps you to improve. Make coding a habit. For example, you can code small pet projects.
Don’t hesitate to program more advanced programs with the help of Java API as soon as you have mastered the basics.

Use blogs you like and forums

dedicated to Java and programming languages in general. It will help you to improve the situation.

ARE 30 DAY CODING CHALLENGES WORTH IT?

Anu Sharma — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:36:43 +0000

Hashtags are the "it" things and the developer community is no stranger to it. You may have seen your social media or news feed swarm with challenges like #30daysofcode, #7daysofbuild, etc. But in this post we are going to be exploring how useful are such challenges and whether they truly help you learn something.

YOU BECOME COMPETITIVE:

More often than not, whenever a person is provided they tend to complete it because of our innate quality to compete and challenge ourselves.

YOU BECOME DISCIPLINED:

Most challenges provide you with a track or "targets" that you are supposed to complete within a day or any amount of time. By staying committed to your task, you learn to discipline yourself.

YOU BECOME A BETTER LEARNER:

Self-teaching is the best way of learning and challenging yourself is an even better way.

YOU LEARN FASTER:

With such challenges, you can cover a lot more topics than you normally would have done.

YOU BECOME CONSISTENT:

When you keep learning without a specific time period set, you tend to lose track of your progress and get demotivated.

BEST WAY TO MAINTAIN A NEW HABIT:

Whether it is a coding challenge or a web development challenge, once you get started , you don't want to stop.

SO, to summarize such challenges are meant to motivate you and get the momentum going. It provides the boost you may need to get started making a change. As you keep going, achieving small successes can help motivate you to keep going.

Why Hackathons are the easiest things ever

Anu Sharma — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:56:12 +0000

For any newbie in the world of tech, the word "Hackathon" feels daunting. But here's the catch, these are one of the most easiest platforms to compete and win prizes. Whether you are an experienced programmer or know absolutely nothing about coding, "hackathons" are for you.
From workshops to mini-events to project submissions, you end up learning a lot more things in a fast pace than you normally would have done.
Along with technical proficiency, you also have a chance to improve your soft skills by interacting with people form all over the world.
I would also personally recommend any beginner to start with the hackathons listed on mlh.io. These are perfect for any level of hacker.
Hackathons are beginner-friendly environments where you can make new friends, turn some awesome ideas into reality, win prizes, and get free swag! If you don't know how to code, that's totally okay!
All that matters is you are willing to learn and want to improve your expertise in the field.
Keep LEARNING. Keep CODING.

A beginner's guide to open source

Anu Sharma — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 20:06:41 +0000

If you are into programming , there's a more than 60 percent chance that you have stumbled upon the word "open-source" more than once. Though, do you feel like you don't have enough experience to contribute to projects or either don't feel confident enough to make someone else's project better than it was? Then this post is for you. Take it from a person who contributed to some highly complex projects in C++ with a little knowledge of the language.

In the first month of my first year in college, I was completely clueless as to what I needed to do. Should I code? Should I build projects? Should I contribute to open-source? Should I join societies/clubs ? And the list never ends..
So, I decided to learn a bit of C++ and ended up watching many YouTube videos related to it. But soon I found myself get stuck in what some people call "The tutorial Hell". That is when I realized that all the knowledge that I was gaining was of no use if I couldn't put it to some use. So I enrolled myself in DevScript Winter of Code and would also suggest other fellow beginners to do the same. The program provides a list of projects from which you can choose and solve the issues.
In order to successfully complete the program , one thing I would suggest is "Be CURIOUS". Even if you think you know a lot or don't, keep pinging your project mentors and get on their nerves. Read blogs, watch tutorials related to the issue and keep trying until you are able to solve the issue and create a pull request.

The best way to learn something is by DOING. Until and unless you don't apply your knowledge to practical use, you won't feel connected to the topic and won't be able to excel beyond a certain point. You will reach what I call a "plateau" and to avoid this, you can contribute to open source projects. Start with DWOC, then maybe even move onto GSOC next!! :-D

Remember there are no limits as to what you can achieve and what defines your path is the choices that you make every moment.
Keep LEARNING. Keep CODING.

Local Hack Day: BUILD and why you should join it?

Anu Sharma — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 14:12:54 +0000

So as the weeklong grand hackathon organized by Major League Hacking comes to an end, I am feeling a cocktail of emotions. I am exhausted, happy, sad and excited. being a newbie in the field of coding and hackathons, I had a vague idea as to what exactly I would be expected to build at this hackathon. Nonetheless, I joined the hackathon and now I can confidently say that I am a more experienced programmer than I was a week ago.
the hackathon not only had workshops to help you build something that you can gladly show off on your resume, it also had mini-events such as "Cup-stacking" and "Chrome-Dino Game"(which i am surprisingly good at) to help you relax and take a break from an otherwise busy schedule.
I learned a new language called "EmojiCode" , built a chess game in Java, built a tic-tac-toe game, and also followed tutorials to build something and earn points. One of the most important and relevant experience I had was networking. Networking with people I had not known before and competing with a guild made me more confident in my abilities. And I gotta tell you the joy and rush you get when you see your name on the leaderboard is something I cannot convey in words.
And if this is not enough to get you to participate in such hackathons , I have one last thing to motivate you... SWAGS. yes, you read it right for each and every hacker who completes a single challenge, MLH provides stickers and masks that you can deck out on your laptop and show off.

Now, here are a list of few hackathons that you can attend even if you missed out on LHD: Build. Remember that it is never too late or never too early to take part in a hackathons. There are hackathons for high-school students as well so you should definitely be on a lookout for such events:

HackTheNorthEast
RoseHacks
HackDavis
ElleHacks
HackViolet

And many more..
You can check out various hackathons at https://mlh.io/

Keep LEARNING. Keep CODING.