Is it Time to get aquainted with GitHub?
GitHub is a platform that allows you to store and manage your code online, and collaborate with other developers.
First off before anything it is good to be aware that there is the entire Pro Git book, which is written by Scott Chacon and Ben Straub and published by Apress: https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2. Knowing that this exists could safe your life one day... You never know.
So after being aware that there is a complete book that is free and right, right, there to read up on we can officially begin.
Create an account: Go to GitHub.com and sign up for a free account.
Install Git: Git is the software that allows you to interact with GitHub. You can download it from the official website: https://git-scm.com/downloads
Create a repository: A repository is a place to store your code. You can create a new repository by clicking the "+" button in the top-right corner of the GitHub website, and then selecting "New repository".
Clone the repository: You can make a copy of the repository on your local machine by using the command "git clone [repository URL]" in the command line. This will create a local copy of the repository on your computer.
Make changes: You can now make changes to the code on your local copy of the repository.
Commit changes: Once you've made your changes, you'll want to "commit" them to the repository. This is like saving your changes. Use the command "git commit -am "[commit message]"". The commit message is a short message describing the changes you made.
Push changes: Finally, you'll want to "push" your changes back to the online repository on GitHub. Use the command "git push" in the command line.
Collaborate: You can invite other people to collaborate on your repository by adding them as collaborators in the repository's settings. They can then make their own changes, commit and push them to the repository.
This is a brief overview of the basic steps to get started with GitHub. There are many more features and commands available, but this should be enough to get you started.
Extra TidBit
- Making changes to a repository and pushing them back allows you to keep your code up-to-date and make improvements. Think of a repository like a recipe book. You may start with a basic recipe, but as you make it more and more, you may realize that certain ingredients or steps can be improved. By committing and pushing those changes back to the recipe book, you're updating the recipe for yourself and others to use, making it better and more efficient for everyone. This way, you can build on top of the work of others and make a better final product.