Exercise: Introduction To GitHub
Introduction to GitHub

Welcome to Your Skills Exercise!
👋 Hey there, praveen-4906! 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 repository, 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 others and collaborate on a global scale.
Creating a GitHub Account
To get started with GitHub, you will need to create a GitHub account. Here's how:
- Go to the GitHub website (www.github.com) and click on the "Sign up" button.
- Enter your email address, username, and password.
- Fill out the required information, including your name and location.
- Click on the "Create account" button.
Understanding GitHub Terminology
Before we dive into the exercise, let's cover some essential GitHub terminology:
- Repository: 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.
- Commit: A commit is a snapshot of changes made to a repository.
- Pull request: A pull request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another.
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:
- Log in to your GitHub account.
- Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "New repository" from the dropdown menu.
- Enter a name for your repository and a brief description.
- Choose a repository type (public or private).
- Click on the "Create repository" button.
Exercise: Creating a New File
Now that we've created a new repository, let's create a new file. Here's what you need to do:
- Click on the "Code" button in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New file" button.
- Enter a name for your file and a brief description.
- Add some content to your file (e.g., a simple text file).
- Click on the "Commit new file" button.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've completed the exercise and created a new repository and file on GitHub. the next exercise, we'll cover how to use issues to organize your work and collaborate with others.
What's Next?
In the next exercise, we'll cover how to use issues to organize your work and collaborate with others. We'll also cover how to create a new branch and make changes to your codebase.
Additional Resources
- GitHub documentation: https://docs.github.com
- GitHub tutorials: https://help.github.com/en/github/getting-started-with-github
Get Feedback and Next Steps
As you complete each step, I will respond in the comments to:
- Check your work and give feedback
- Share next steps
- Occasionally share tips
- Congratulate you when you finish!
Introduction
Welcome to the GitHub Q&A section! This article is designed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about GitHub, covering topics such as creating a new repository, using issues, and collaborating with others.
Q: What is GitHub?
A: 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 repository, making it easier to collaborate with others and track changes to the codebase.
Q: How do I create a new repository on GitHub?
A: To create a new repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Log in to your GitHub account.
- Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "New repository" from the dropdown menu.
- Enter a name for your repository and a brief description.
- Choose a repository type (public or private).
- Click on the "Create repository" button.
Q: What is the difference between a public and private repository?
A: A public repository is visible to everyone on GitHub, while a private repository is only accessible to authorized users. Public repositories are ideal for open-source projects, while private repositories are better suited for proprietary code.
Q: How do I create a new file in a repository?
A: To create a new file in a repository, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Code" button in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New file" button.
- Enter a name for your file and a brief description.
- Add some content to your file (e.g., a simple text file).
- Click on the "Commit new file" button.
Q: What is an issue in GitHub?
A: An issue in GitHub is a way to track and report bugs, feature requests, or other tasks related to a project. Issues can be used to collaborate with others, assign tasks, and track progress.
Q: How do I create a new issue in GitHub?
A: To create a new issue in GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Issues" tab in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New issue" button.
- Enter a title and description for your issue.
- Assign the issue to a specific project or repository.
- Click on the "Create issue" button.
Q: What is a pull request in GitHub?
A: A pull request in GitHub is a request to merge changes from one branch into another. Pull requests allow developers to review and discuss changes before they are merged into the main codebase.
Q: How do I create a new pull request in GitHub?
A: To create a new pull request in GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Pull requests" tab in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New pull request" button.
- Select the source and target branches for the pull request.
- Enter a title and description for the pull request.
- Click on the "Create pull request" button.
Q: What is a branch in GitHub?
A: A branch in GitHub is separate line of development in a repository. Branches allow developers to work on new features or bug fixes without affecting the main codebase.
Q: How do I create a new branch in GitHub?
A: To create a new branch in GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Code" button in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New branch" button.
- Enter a name for your branch.
- Click on the "Create branch" button.
Q: What is a commit in GitHub?
A: A commit in GitHub is a snapshot of changes made to a repository. Commits are used to track changes to the codebase and provide a record of all changes made.
Q: How do I create a new commit in GitHub?
A: To create a new commit in GitHub, follow these steps:
- Make changes to your codebase.
- Click on the "Commit" button.
- Enter a commit message.
- Click on the "Commit changes" button.
Conclusion
We hope this Q&A article has helped answer some of your questions about GitHub. If you have any further questions or need additional help, please don't hesitate to ask. Happy coding!