1. Introduction
In today’s technology world, developers and data analysts work on projects that change often. Files are updated, mistakes happen, and sometimes we need to go back to an earlier version of our work. This is where Git, Git Bash, and GitHub come in.
Git is a version control system that helps track changes in files.
Git Bash is a terminal that allows Windows users to run Git commands easily.
GitHub is an online platform where Git repositories are stored and shared.
In this article, I explain how to install Git Bash, connect it to GitHub, use Git Bash commands, pull code from GitHub, and understand version control.
2. Installing Git Bash on Windows
Git Bash is required to use Git commands on a Windows computer.
Steps to install Git Bash:
Open a web browser
Search for Download Git Bash
Open the official website official website
Download Git for Windows
Run the installer
Keep the default settings and click Next until installation is complete
How to confirm installation:
Right-click anywhere on your computer
Select Git Bash Here
If a terminal window opens, Git Bash is successfully installed
3. Configuring Git Bash
After installation, Git must be configured with your name and email. This information is used to identify who made changes to files.
Commands used:
Name("git config --global user.name "Your Name")
Email("git config --global user.email "your@email.com")
To confirm the configuration:
Confirm("git config --list")
This command displays the saved Git configuration details.
4. Connecting Git Bash to GitHub
Git Bash can be securely connected to GitHub using SSH keys.
Step 1: Create a GitHub account
Sign up or log in if you already have an account
Step 2:Generate an SSH key
In Git Bash, run:
code to run("ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your@email.com")
Press Enter to accept default options
Step 3:Add SSH key to GitHub
Copy the SSH key:
code to SSH key("cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub")
Go to GitHub → Settings → SSH and GPG keys
Click New SSH key
Paste the key and save
Step 4: Test the connection
Test connection("ssh -T git@github.com")
If the connection is successful, GitHub will confirm authentication.
5. Basic Git Bash Commands
Below are common commands used when working with Git Bash:
| Command | Purpose |
| pwd | Shows the current folder |
| ls | Lists files in a folder |
| cd foldername | Moves into a folder |
| git init | Initializes a Git repository |
| git status | Checks file changes |
| git add . | Stages all changes |
| git commit -m "message" | Saves changes |
| git log | Shows commit history |
6. Tracking Changes Using Git
Tracking changes is one of Git’s most important features.
Steps to track changes:
git status
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
whereby
git status checks file changes
git add . prepares files for saving
git commit saves a snapshot of the project
This process allows developers to keep a record of every change made.
7. Pulling Code from GitHub
Git Bash allows users to download and update code from GitHub.
Clone a repository("git clone git@github.com:username/repository.git")
Pull latest changes("git pull")
These commands ensure the local project is always up to date with the remote repository.
8. Understanding Version Control
Version control is the process of managing changes to files over time.
It helps to:
- Track changes
- Collaborate with others
- Recover previous versions
- Prevent loss of work
Git acts as the version control system, while GitHub stores projects online for collaboration and backup.
9. Conclusion
Git Bash and GitHub are essential tools for developers and data analysts. Git Bash allows users to interact with Git through commands, while GitHub provides a platform to store and share projects. Understanding version control makes it easier to track changes, collaborate, and work efficiently. Learning these tools is an important step toward becoming a skilled technical professional.
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