If you are learning programming, sooner or later you will hear about Git and GitHub. At first, they may sound confusing but once you understand the basics, they become essential tools in every developer’s workflow.
In this article, you will learn:
- What Git is and why version control matters
- How to push code to GitHub
- How to pull code from GitHub
- How to track changes using Git
Let’s go step by step.
What is Git?
Git is a version control system.
It helps you track changes in your code over time.
Think of Git like a time machine for your project:
- You can save versions of your code
- Go back to previous versions if something breaks
- See who changed what and when
- Work with other developers without overwriting each other’s work Git runs locally on your computer.
Why Version Control is Important
Imagine this situation:
- You are working on a project.
- You make changes.
- Suddenly, your code stops working.
- You wish you could go back to yesterday’s working version.
Without version control:
- You would have to manually copy folders.
- You might lose working code.
- Collaboration becomes messy.
With Git:
- Every saved version is stored safely
- You can experiment without fear
- Teams can work together smoothly
That is why version control is essential in real-world development.
What is GitHub?
GitHub is an online platform that stores Git repositories.
- Git - tool on your computer
- GitHub - cloud storage for your Git projects
It allows:
- Backup of your projects online
- Sharing code with others
- Collaboration on open-source projects
Installing Git
Download Git from:
https://git-scm.com/
After installation, verify:
git --version
Basic Git Setup
Before using Git, set your username and email:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"
How to Track Changes Using Git
Step 1: Initialize Git in your project
Inside your project folder:
git init
This creates a hidden .git folder — your local repository.
Step 2: Check file status
git status
This shows:
- Which files are new
- Which files were modified
- Which files are ready to commit
Step 3: Add files to staging
To track a file:
git add filename
Or add everything:
git add .
Step 4: Commit changes
A commit saves a snapshot of your project.
git commit -m "Added homepage layout"
Each commit has:
- A unique ID
- A message describing the change
Step 5: View commit history
git log
How to Push Code to GitHub
Step 1: Create a repository on GitHub
- Go to https://github.com
- Click New Repository
- Give it a name
- Click Create Repository
Step 2: Connect local Git to GitHub
Copy the repository URL from GitHub, then run:
git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/your-repo.git
Step 3: Push your code
git branch -M main
git push -u origin main
Now your project is uploaded to GitHub 🎉
How to Pull Code from GitHub
If you want to download updates from GitHub to your computer:
git pull origin main
This fetches the latest changes and merges them into your local project.
Bonus: Cloning a GitHub Repository
If a project already exists on GitHub, you can copy it to your computer:
git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git
Common Git Workflow
- Make changes to code
git statusgit add .git commit -m "message"git push
Repeat 🚀
Final Thoughts
Git and GitHub may seem complex at first, but once you practice the basic commands, they become second nature.
They help you:
- Keep your code safe
- Work confidently
- Collaborate professionally If you are serious about software development, mastering Git is a must.
Quick Command Summary
git init
git status
git add .
git commit -m "message"
git push
git pull
git clone
git log
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