Exercise: Introduction To GitHub
Introduction to GitHub

Welcome to Your Skills Exercise!
👋 Hey there iamsamsam2020! 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 code and revert to previous versions if needed.
- 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 and collaborate with others.
Creating a GitHub Account
To get started with GitHub, you need to create an 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 (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.
- 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 (e.g., public or private).
- 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:
- Click on the "Code" button in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New file" button.
- Enter a name for your file and add some content.
- Click on the "Commit new file" button.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've completed the introduction to GitHub exercise. You now have a basic understanding of GitHub terminology and have a new repository and file. In 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 code. Stay tuned!
Additional Resources
If you want to learn more about GitHub, here are some additional resources:
- GitHub documentation: The official GitHub documentation provides a comprehensive guide to using GitHub.
- GitHub tutorials: GitHub offers a range of tutorials and guides to help you get started with using GitHub.
- GitHub community: The GitHub community is a great place to connect with other developers and get help with any questions you may have.
Get Help
Introduction
Welcome to the GitHub Q&A article! This article provides answers to frequently asked questions about GitHub, covering topics such as creating a new repository, using issues, and collaborating with others.
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 new repository on GitHub?
A2: 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 (e.g., public or private).
- Click on the "Create repository" 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 file in a repository?
A4: 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 add some content.
- Click on the "Commit new file" button.
Q5: What is a branch in GitHub?
A5: 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.
Q6: How do I create a new branch in GitHub?
A6: 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 and click on the "Create branch" button.
Q7: What is a pull request in GitHub?
A7: A pull request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another. It allows developers to review and approve changes before they are merged into the main codebase.
Q8: How do I create a pull request in GitHub?
A8: To create a pull request in GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Pull requests" button in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New pull request" button.
- Select the branch you want to merge into the main codebase.
- Click on the "Create pull request" button.
Q9: What is an issue in GitHub?
A9: An issue is a way to track and manage bugs, feature requests, or other tasks related to a project. It allows developers to assign tasks to team members and track progress.
Q10: How do I create an issue in GitHub?
A10: To create an issue in GitHub, follow these steps:
- Click on the "Issues" button in the top navigation bar.
- Click on the "New issue" button.
- Enter a title and description for your issue.
- Assign the issue to a team member or project.
- Click on the "Create issue" button.
Q11: How do I collaborate with others on a project?
A11: To collaborate with others on a project, follow these steps:
- Invite team members to your repository.
- Assign tasks to team members using issues.
- Use branches to work on different features or bug fixes.
- Create pull requests to merge changes into the main codebase.
- Review and approve changes before they are merged into the main codebase.
Q12: What is the GitHub community?
A12: The GitHub community is a group of developers who use GitHub to collaborate on projects and share knowledge. It's a great place to connect with other developers and get help with any questions you may have.
Q13: How do I get help with GitHub?
A13: To get help with GitHub, follow these steps:
- Check the GitHub documentation for answers to common questions.
- Search for answers on the GitHub community forum.
- Ask a question on the GitHub community forum.
- Contact GitHub support for help with more complex issues.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've completed the GitHub Q&A article. We hope this article has provided you with a better understanding of GitHub and its features. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask.