Exercise: Introduction To GitHub
Introduction to GitHub

Welcome to Your Skills Exercise!
👋 Hey there, odgerel5657! 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.
Getting Started with GitHub
To get started with GitHub, you will need to create an account. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Create a GitHub account: Go to the GitHub website and sign up for an account. You can use your email address or social media account to create an account.
- Set up your profile: Once you have created an account, set up your profile by adding a profile picture, bio, and other details.
- Create a new repository: To create a new repository, click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard. Give your repository a name, description, and choose a license.
- Initialize a new repository: Once you have created a new repository, initialize it by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Understanding GitHub Terminology
To get the most out of GitHub, it's essential to understand the terminology. Here are some key terms to get you started:
- Repository: A repository is a collection of files and folders that are stored on GitHub.
- Branch: A branch is a separate line of development in a repository. It allows developers to work on different features or bug fixes without affecting the main codebase.
- Commit: A commit is a snapshot of the changes made to a repository. It's a way to track changes to the codebase over time.
- Pull request: A pull request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another. It's a way to collaborate with others and review changes before they are merged into the main codebase.
Best Practices for Using GitHub
To get the most out of GitHub, follow these best practices:
- Use meaningful commit messages: Use commit messages that describe the changes made to the codebase.
- Use branches: Use branches to work on different features or bug fixes without affecting the main codebase.
- Collaborate with others: Collaborate with others creating pull requests and reviewing changes before they are merged into the main codebase.
- Use GitHub's built-in features: Use GitHub's built-in features, such as issues and projects, to organize your work and collaborate with others.
Conclusion
In this exercise, we introduced you to the basics of GitHub. We covered what GitHub is, how to get started with GitHub, and understanding GitHub terminology. We also discussed best practices for using GitHub. By following these best practices, you can get the most out of GitHub and collaborate with others more effectively.
What's Next?
In the next exercise, we will cover how to use issues to organize your work and collaborate with others. We will also cover how to create a project and use GitHub's built-in features to manage your work.
Additional Resources
For more information on GitHub, check out the following resources:
- GitHub documentation: The GitHub documentation provides a comprehensive guide to using GitHub.
- GitHub tutorials: GitHub tutorials provide step-by-step guides to using GitHub.
- GitHub community: The GitHub community provides a platform for developers to share knowledge and collaborate on projects.
Exercise: Create a New Repository
Create a new repository on GitHub by following these steps:
- Create a new repository: Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your repository a name: Give your repository a name and description.
- Choose a license: Choose a license for your repository.
- Initialize a new repository: Initialize your repository by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Exercise: Create a New Branch
Create a new branch on GitHub by following these steps:
- Create a new branch: Click on the "New branch" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your branch a name: Give your branch a name.
- Create a new commit: Create a new commit by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Exercise: Create a Pull Request
Create a pull request on GitHub by following these steps:
- Create a new pull request: Click on the "New pull request" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Choose a branch: Choose a branch to merge into.
- Create a new commit: Create a new commit by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Conclusion
In this exercise, we covered how to create a new repository, branch, and pull request on GitHub. We also discussed best practices for using GitHub. By following these best practices, you can get the most out of GitHub and collaborate with others more effectively.
What's Next?
Frequently Asked Questions
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:
- Create a new repository: Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your repository a name: Give your repository a name and description.
- Choose a license: Choose a license for your repository.
- Initialize a new repository: Initialize your repository by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Q: What is a branch in GitHub?
A: A branch in GitHub is a separate line of development in a repository. It allows developers to work on different features or bug fixes without affecting the main codebase.
Q: How do I create a new branch on GitHub?
A: To create a new branch on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Create a new branch: Click on the "New branch" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your branch a name: Give your branch a name.
- Create a new commit: Create a new commit by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
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. It's a way to collaborate with others and review changes before they are merged into the main codebase.
Q: How do I create a pull request on GitHub?
A: To create a pull request on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Create a new pull request: Click on the "New pull request" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Choose a branch: Choose a branch to merge into.
- Create a new commit: Create a new commit by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Q: What is a commit in GitHub?
A: A commit in GitHub is a snapshot of the changes made to a repository. It's a way to track changes to the codebase over time.
Q: How do I create a new commit on GitHub?
A: To create a new commit on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Create a new commit: Run the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Q: What is a repository in GitHub?
A: A repository in GitHub is a collection of files and folders that are stored on GitHub.
Q: How do I create a new repository on GitHub?
A: To create a new repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Create a new repository: Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your repository a name: Give your repository a name and description.
- Choose a license: Choose a license for your repository.
- Initialize a new repository: Initialize your repository by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Q: What is a license in GitHub?
A: A license in GitHub is a way to specify the terms under which your code can be used, modified, and distributed.
Q: How do I choose a license for my repository on GitHub?
A: To choose a license for your repository on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Settings" icon: Click on the "Settings" icon in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Click on "Licenses": Click on "Licenses" in the left-hand menu.
- Choose a license: Choose a license from the list of available licenses.
Q: What is a project in GitHub?
A: A project in GitHub is a way to organize your work and collaborate with others on a specific goal or objective.
Q: How do I create a new project on GitHub?
A: To create a new project on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "+" button: Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your project a name: Give your project a name and description.
- Choose a license: Choose a license for your project.
- Initialize a new project: Initialize your project by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Q: What is an issue in GitHub?
A: An issue in GitHub is a way to track and manage bugs, feature requests, and other tasks related to your project.
Q: How do I create a new issue on GitHub?
A: To create a new issue on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Issues" tab: Click on the "Issues" tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click on "New issue": Click on "New issue" in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your issue a title: Give your issue a title and description.
- Assign an issue to a project: Assign your issue to a project.
- Create a new issue: Create a new issue by clicking on the "Create issue" button.
Q: What is a milestone in GitHub?
A: A milestone in GitHub is a way to track and manage progress towards a specific goal or objective.
Q: How do I create a new milestone on GitHub?
A: To create a new milestone on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Issues" tab: Click on the "Issues" tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click on "Milestones": Click on "Milestones" in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your milestone a title: Give your milestone a title and description.
- Assign a milestone to a project: Assign your milestone to a project.
- Create a new milestone: Create a new milestone by clicking on the "Create milestone" button.
Q: What is a label in GitHub?
A: A label in GitHub is a way to categorize and filter issues and milestones.
Q: How do I create a new label on GitHub?
A: To create a new label on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Issues" tab: Click on the "Issues" tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click on "Labels": Click on "Labels" in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your label a name: Give your label a name and description.
- Create a new label: Create a new label by clicking on the "Create label" button.
Q: What is a project board in GitHub?
A: A project board in GitHub is a way to visualize and manage your work and collaborate with others on a specific goal or objective.
Q: How do I create a new project board on GitHub?
A: To create a new project board on GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "+" button: Click on the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your project board a name: Give your project board a name and description.
- Choose a license: Choose a license for your project board.
- Initialize a new project board: Initialize your project board by running the command
git add .
and thengit commit -m "Initial commit"
.
Q: What is a GitHub Actions workflow?
A: A GitHub Actions workflow is a way to automate and manage your build, test, and deployment processes.
Q: How do I create a new GitHub Actions workflow?
A: To create a new GitHub Actions workflow, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Actions" tab: Click on the "Actions" tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click on "New workflow": Click on "New workflow" in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Give your workflow a name: Give your workflow a name and description.
- Choose a trigger: Choose a trigger for your workflow.
- Create a new workflow: Create a new workflow by clicking on the "Create workflow" button.
Q: What is a GitHub Pages site?
A: A GitHub Pages site is a way to host and deploy your website or blog directly from your GitHub repository.
Q: How do I create a new GitHub Pages site?
A: To create a new GitHub Pages site, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Settings" icon: Click on the "Settings" icon in the top-right corner of the GitHub dashboard.
- Click on "GitHub Pages": Click on "GitHub Pages" in the left-hand menu.
- Choose a theme: Choose a theme for your GitHub Pages site.
- Create a new GitHub Pages site: Create a new GitHub Pages site by clicking on the "Create site" button.
Q: What is a GitHub Wiki?
A: A GitHub Wiki is a way to store and