Git Basics Tutorial: A Beginner's Guide to Version Control

Welcome to Git! This tutorial will teach you the essential Git commands you need to start managing your code like a pro.

📚 What is Git?

Git is a version control system that helps you track changes in your code, collaborate with others, and never lose your work. Think of it as a "save point" system for your projects.

🔧 Step 1: Install Git

First, install Git on your computer:

• Windows: Download from git-scm.com

• Mac: Install via Homebrew with 'brew install git'

• Linux: Use 'sudo apt-get install git' (Ubuntu/Debian)

Verify installation by opening your terminal and typing:

git --version

🚀 Step 2: Configure Git

Set up your identity:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"

git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

📁 Step 3: Create Your First Repository

Navigate to your project folder:

cd my-project

Initialize a Git repository:

git init

This creates a hidden .git folder that tracks all changes.

💾 Step 4: Basic Git Workflow

Here's the most common workflow:

1. Check status:

git status

2. Add files to staging:

git add filename.js

or add all files:

git add .

3. Commit your changes:

git commit -m "Add new feature"

4. View commit history:

git log

🌿 Step 5: Working with Branches

Branches let you work on features without affecting the main code:

Create a new branch:

git branch feature-name

Switch to the branch:

git checkout feature-name

Or do both at once:

git checkout -b feature-name

Merge branch back to main:

git checkout main

git merge feature-name

🔄 Step 6: Connecting to GitHub

To backup your code online:

1. Create a repository on GitHub

2. Link your local repo:

git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repo.git

3. Push your code:

git push -u origin main

📥 Step 7: Pull Changes

When working with others, get their updates:

git pull origin main

💡 Quick Tips for Beginners

✅ Commit often with clear messages

✅ Always pull before you push

✅ Use branches for new features

✅ Check 'git status' frequently

✅ Write meaningful commit messages

🎯 Common Commands Cheat Sheet

git init - Start a new repository

git status - Check what's changed

git add . - Stage all changes

git commit -m "message" - Save your changes

git push - Upload to remote repository

git pull - Download from remote repository

git clone [url] - Copy a repository

git branch - List branches

git checkout [branch] - Switch branches

git merge [branch] - Combine branches

🎓 Practice Exercise

Try this to solidify your learning:

1. Create a new folder called 'git-practice'

2. Initialize a Git repository

3. Create a file called 'hello.txt' with "Hello Git!"

4. Add and commit the file

5. Create a new branch called 'updates'

6. Add more text to hello.txt

7. Commit the changes

8. Switch back to main and merge your updates branch

✨ Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know the Git basics. The more you practice, the more natural these commands will become. Remember: every expert was once a beginner who kept practicing.

Happy coding! 🚀