Exercise: Introduction To GitHub
Getting Started with GitHub
Welcome to GitHub! 👋 As a developer, you're likely familiar with the importance of collaboration and version control in software development. GitHub is a web-based platform that enables developers to host and review code, manage projects, and collaborate with others. In this exercise, we'll introduce you to the basics of GitHub and help you get started with using this powerful tool.
What is GitHub?
GitHub is a web-based platform that allows developers to host and review code, manage projects, and collaborate with others. It's a place where developers can share their code, get feedback, and work together on projects. GitHub is built on top of the Git version control system, which allows developers to track changes to their code over time.
Key Concepts in GitHub
Before we dive into the exercise, let's cover some key concepts in GitHub:
- Repository (Repo): A repository is a central location where all the files for a project are stored. Think of it as a digital file cabinet where you can store and manage all the files related to a project.
- Branch: A branch is a separate line of development in a repository. It allows developers to work on different features or versions of a project without affecting the main codebase.
- Commit: A commit is a snapshot of changes made to a repository. It's like taking a photo of your code at a particular point in time.
- Pull Request: A pull request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another. It's a way for developers to review and discuss changes before they're merged into the main codebase.
Step 1: Creating a GitHub Account
To get started with GitHub, you'll need to create an account. Follow these steps:
- Go to github.com and click on the "Sign up" button.
- Fill out the registration form with your email address, username, and password.
- Verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to you by GitHub.
- Set up your profile by adding a profile picture, bio, and other details.
Step 2: Creating a New Repository
Once you have a GitHub account, you can create a new repository. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your GitHub account and click on the "+" button in the top-right corner.
- Select "New repository" from the dropdown menu.
- Fill out the repository name, description, and other details.
- Choose a repository type (public or private) and select the license.
- Click on the "Create repository" button.
Step 3: Initializing a Git Repository
To use GitHub, you'll need to initialize a Git repository on your local machine. Follow these steps:
- Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to create your repository.
- Run the command
git add .
to stage all the files in the directory. - Run the command
git commit -m "Initial commit"
to commit the changes. - Run the command
git remote add origin <repository-url>
to link your local repository to the GitHub repository. - Run command
git push -u origin master
to push the changes to GitHub.
Step 4: Creating a New Branch
To work on a new feature or version of a project, you'll need to create a new branch. Follow these steps:
- Run the command
git branch <branch-name>
to create a new branch. - Run the command
git checkout <branch-name>
to switch to the new branch. - Make changes to the code and commit them using
git add
andgit commit
. - Run the command
git push origin <branch-name>
to push the changes to GitHub.
Step 5: Creating a Pull Request
To merge changes from one branch into another, you'll need to create a pull request. Follow these steps:
- Go to your GitHub repository and click on the "Pull requests" tab.
- Click on the "New pull request" button.
- Select the branch you want to merge into the main codebase.
- Fill out the pull request title and description.
- Click on the "Create pull request" button.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've completed the exercise and learned the basics of GitHub. You now know how to create a GitHub account, create a new repository, initialize a Git repository, create a new branch, and create a pull request. Practice makes perfect, so be sure to try out these steps on your own project.
Additional Resources
- GitHub documentation: https://docs.github.com
- GitHub tutorials: https://github.com/learn
- Git documentation: https://git-scm.com/docs
Exercise: Introduction to GitHub
Exercise: Create a new repository on GitHub and initialize a Git repository on your local machine. Create a new branch and make changes to the code. Commit the changes and push them to GitHub. Create a pull request to merge the changes into the main codebase.
Deliverables:
- A GitHub repository with a new branch and changes committed.
- A pull request to merge the changes into the main codebase.
Grading:
- Completeness of the exercise (40 points)
- Quality of the code and commit messages (30 points)
- Clarity and organization of the pull request (30 points)
Due Date: [Insert due date]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is GitHub?
A: GitHub is a web-based platform that allows developers to host and review code, manage projects, and collaborate with others. It's a place where developers can share their code, get feedback, and work together on projects.
Q: What is the difference between GitHub and Git?
A: Git is a version control system that allows developers to track changes to their code over time. GitHub is a web-based platform that uses Git as its underlying technology. Think of GitHub as a place where you can store and manage your Git repositories.
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 and click on the "+" button in the top-right corner.
- Select "New repository" from the dropdown menu.
- Fill out the repository name, description, and other details.
- Choose a repository type (public or private) and select the license.
- Click on the "Create repository" button.
Q: How do I initialize a Git repository on my local machine?
A: To initialize a Git repository on your local machine, follow these steps:
- Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to create your repository.
- Run the command
git add .
to stage all the files in the directory. - Run the command
git commit -m "Initial commit"
to commit the changes. - Run the command
git remote add origin <repository-url>
to link your local repository to the GitHub repository. - Run command
git push -u origin master
to push the changes to GitHub.
Q: How do I create a new branch on GitHub?
A: To create a new branch on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Run the command
git branch <branch-name>
to create a new branch. - Run the command
git checkout <branch-name>
to switch to the new branch. - Make changes to the code and commit them using
git add
andgit commit
. - Run the command
git push origin <branch-name>
to push the changes to GitHub.
Q: How do I create a pull request on GitHub?
A: To create a pull request on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Go to your GitHub repository and click on the "Pull requests" tab.
- Click on the "New pull request" button.
- Select the branch you want to merge into the main codebase.
- Fill out the pull request title and description.
- Click on the "Create pull request" button.
Q: What is the difference between a pull request and a merge request?
A: A pull request and a merge request are the same thing. They're a request to merge changes from one branch into another. The term "pull request" is more commonly used in GitHub, while "merge request" is more commonly used in other version control systems.
Q: How do I resolve conflicts in a pull request?
A: To resolve conflicts in a pull request, follow these steps:
- Go to your GitHub repository and click on the "Pull requests" tab.
- Click on the pull request you want to resolve.
- Click on the "Resolve conflicts" button.
- Review the changes and resolve any conflicts.
- Click on the "Resolve conflicts" button to save the changes.
Q: How do I delete a repository on GitHub?
A: To delete a repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Go to your GitHub repository and click on the "Settings" tab.
- Click on the "Danger zone" button.
- Click on the "Delete repository" button.
- Confirm that you want to delete the repository.
Q: How do I recover a deleted repository on GitHub?
A: To recover a deleted repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Go to your GitHub repository and click on the "Settings" tab.
- Click on the "Danger zone" button.
- Click on the "Restore repository" button.
- Confirm that you want to restore the repository.
Additional Resources
- GitHub documentation: https://docs.github.com
- GitHub tutorials: https://github.com/learn
- Git documentation: https://git-scm.com/docs
Conclusion
GitHub is a powerful tool for developers to collaborate and manage projects. By understanding the basics of GitHub and Git, you can take your coding skills to the next level. Remember to practice and experiment with different features and tools to become a GitHub master!