Exercise: Introduction To GitHub

Introduction to GitHub

Welcome to Your Skills Exercise!

👋 Hey there IvanSterligov! Welcome to your Skills exercise! If you are new to GitHub, you might find your fellow developers use issues to organize their work and collaborate. We will do the same! That's another lesson, but today, we will introduce you to the basics.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a web-based platform for version control and collaboration on software development projects. It allows developers to store and manage their code in a centralized location, making it easier to collaborate with others and track changes to the codebase. GitHub provides a range of features, including:

• Version control: GitHub allows developers to track changes to their codebase over time, making it easier to identify and fix errors.
• Collaboration: GitHub enables multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously, making it easier to collaborate and share code.
• Open-source: GitHub provides a platform for open-source projects, allowing developers to share their code with the community and receive feedback and contributions.

Creating a GitHub Account

To get started with GitHub, you will need to create an account. Here's how:

1. Go to the GitHub website (www.github.com) and click on the "Sign up" button.
2. Enter your email address, username, and password.
3. Fill out the required information, including your name and location.
4. Click on the "Create account" button.

Understanding GitHub Terminology

Before we dive into the exercise, let's cover some basic GitHub terminology:

• Repository (or repo): A repository is a collection of files and folders that make up a project.
• Branch: A branch is a separate line of development in a repository. It allows developers to work on a new feature or fix a bug without affecting the main codebase.
• Commit: A commit is a snapshot of the changes made to a repository. It's like taking a photo of the codebase at a particular point in time.
• Pull request: A pull request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another. It's like asking a colleague to review and merge your changes into the main codebase.

Exercise: Creating a New Repository

Now that we've covered the basics, let's create a new repository on GitHub. Here's what you need to do:

1. Log in to your GitHub account.
2. Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "New repository" from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter a name for your repository and a brief description.
5. Choose a repository type (e.g., public, private, or internal).
6. Click on the "Create repository" button.

Exercise: Creating a New File

Now that we have a new repository, let's create a new file. Here's what you need to do:

1. Click on the repository name in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Click on the "New file" button.
3. Enter a name for your file and a brief description.
4. Add some content to your file (e.g., a simple text file).
5. Click on the "Commit new file" button.

Exercise: Creating a New Branch

Now that we have a new file, let's create a new branch. Here's what you need to do:

1. Click on the repository name in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Click on the "New branch" button.
3. Enter a name for your branch and a brief description.
4. Click on the "Create branch" button.

Exercise: Committing Changes

Now that we have a new branch, let's commit some changes. Here's what you need to do:

1. Make some changes to your file (e.g., add a new line of code).
2. Click on the "Commit changes" button.
3. Enter a commit message and click on the "Commit" button.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the introduction to GitHub exercise. You now have a basic understanding of GitHub terminology and have created a new repository, file, branch, and committed changes. In the next exercise, we will cover more advanced topics, such as collaborating with others and using GitHub features like issues and pull requests.

What's Next?

In the next exercise, we will cover more advanced topics, such as:

• Collaborating with others using GitHub features like issues and pull requests.
• Using GitHub features like code reviews and merge requests.
• Managing your repository using GitHub's web interface.

Introduction

GitHub is a powerful tool for version control and collaboration on software development projects. However, it can be overwhelming for beginners to navigate the platform and understand its features. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about GitHub.

Q1: What is GitHub?

A1: GitHub is a web-based platform for version control and collaboration on software development projects. It allows developers to store and manage their code in a centralized location, making it easier to collaborate with others and track changes to the codebase.

Q2: How do I create a GitHub account?

A2: To create a GitHub account, follow these steps:

1. Go to the GitHub website (www.github.com) and click on the "Sign up" button.
2. Enter your email address, username, and password.
3. Fill out the required information, including your name and location.
4. Click on the "Create account" button.

Q3: What is the difference between a public and private repository?

A3: A public repository is visible to everyone on the internet, while a private repository is only accessible to authorized users. Public repositories are useful for open-source projects, while private repositories are useful for proprietary projects.

Q4: How do I create a new repository on GitHub?

A4: To create a new repository on GitHub, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your GitHub account.
2. Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "New repository" from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter a name for your repository and a brief description.
5. Choose a repository type (e.g., public, private, or internal).
6. Click on the "Create repository" button.

Q5: How do I create a new file in a repository?

A5: To create a new file in a repository, follow these steps:

1. Click on the repository name in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Click on the "New file" button.
3. Enter a name for your file and a brief description.
4. Add some content to your file (e.g., a simple text file).
5. Click on the "Commit new file" button.

Q6: How do I create a new branch in a repository?

A6: To create a new branch in a repository, follow these steps:

1. Click on the repository name in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Click on the "New branch" button.
3. Enter a name for your branch and a brief description.
4. Click on the "Create branch" button.

Q7: How do I commit changes to a repository?

A7: To commit changes to a repository, follow these steps:

1. Make some changes to your file (e.g., add a new line of code).
2. Click on the "Commit changes" button.
3. Enter a commit message and click on the "Commit" button.

Q8: What is a pull request?

A8: A pull request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another. It's like asking a colleague to review and merge your changes into the main codebase.

Q9: How do I create a pull request?

A9:** To create a pull request, follow these steps:

1. Make some changes to your file (e.g., add a new line of code).
2. Click on the "New pull request" button.
3. Select the branch you want to merge into and the branch you want to merge from.
4. Enter a title and description for your pull request.
5. Click on the "Create pull request" button.

Q10: What is a code review?

A10: A code review is a process where a colleague reviews your code to ensure it meets the project's standards and is free of errors.

Q11: How do I request a code review?

A11: To request a code review, follow these steps:

1. Make some changes to your file (e.g., add a new line of code).
2. Click on the "Request code review" button.
3. Select the reviewer you want to assign to the code review.
4. Enter a title and description for the code review.
5. Click on the "Request code review" button.

Conclusion

GitHub is a powerful tool for version control and collaboration on software development projects. By understanding the basics of GitHub, you can take your coding skills to the next level and collaborate with others more effectively. In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about GitHub, including how to create a GitHub account, create a new repository, and commit changes. We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions about GitHub.