A problem that programmers, especially beginners, often encounter is:
you make changes to the code, something goes wrong, and you would like to go back to a previous state. That is where a “version control” tool comes in to help you.
In this article, you will learn:
-What version control is and why it is important
-Git Changes Tracking
-How to push code on GitHub
-How to pull code from GitHub
What Is Version Control?
Version Control is the process wherein changes that have been made to files are tracked. With versioning, you have the ability to:
-Record a history of your work
-See what was changed and when
-Restore previous versions of code
-Work together with others without overwriting their work
What Is Git?
Git is a version control system that you install and operate from your computer. It assists you with:
-Monitoring changes made in files
-Save copies of your project (known as "commits")
-Working Offline
-Manage your project effectively
Git operates locally. This means all the changes occur on your personal machine.
What Is GitHub?
GitHub is an online hosting service used for storing Git repositories. It enables you to:
-Online code backups
-Collaborate on projects with others
-Work together on team projects
Key Git Concepts for Beginners
Repository (Repo): A project folder managed with Git
Commit: A saved snapshot of changes
Staging Area: This refers to where changes to be committed to the project's source code will be
Push: Code Uploads to GitHub
Pull: Downloading updated code from GitHub
Tracking Changes with Git
To see the state of your files, use:
git status
This indicates which files have been updated or are ready to be committed.
To prepare files for saving, add them to the staging area:
git add .
To save the changes permanently, create a commit:
git commit -m "Describe what changed"
In a commit message, you should describe the update you implemented.
Pushing Code to GitHub
After committing, however, your changes exist only on your own computer.
To upload the files to GitHub,use:
git push
Pulling Code from GitHub
If an update is done on GitHub, the local project could become stale.
To update it, run:
git pull
Git can appear intimidating at first, but learning the fundamentals of version control, change tracking, pushing, and pulling code can make development a much safer and more organized process. Git can become a powerful and very simple tool if you practice using it frequently.
Happy coding
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